close global

Welcome to GPFans

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

  • NL
  • GB
  • IT
  • ES-MX
  • US
  • GB

Are you a F1 Fan? Follow GP Fans

Edition

NL GB IT ES-MX US
Charles Leclerc in de garage op Spa-Francorchamps

Leclerc responds to latest Ferrari gaffe

Charles Leclerc in de garage op Spa-Francorchamps — Photo: © LAT Images

Leclerc responds to latest Ferrari gaffe

Leclerc will start 16th alongside Max Verstappen in 15th

Charles Leclerc has claimed he was left surprised by Ferrari incorrectly sending him out on fresh tyres in qualifying at the Belgian Grand Prix.

Ferrari has made a number of strategic mistakes this season which have cost both Leclerc and team-mate Carlos Sainz points and arguably race victories.

Although a back-of-the-grid penalty that relegated the Monégasque from fourth to 16th spared his team's blushes this time, bolting on the wrong tyres for the first hot lap in Q3 cost him any hope of qualifying ahead of title rival Max Verstappen.

Asked what had happened, Leclerc said: "It was probably a miscommunication but it was no big deal. It was just that I was surprised but nothing big.

"I won't go too much into details but it was no big deal."

Leclerc confirmed Ferrari had only intended to send him out for one fresh tyre run in Q3, leaving one unused set of the soft compound for Sunday.

Assessing his prospects for the race and Ferrari's notable pace deficit compared to Red Bull, he added: "There is some potential because we didn't prepare for qualifying as much as we normally do but when you see the gap it is a bit worrying.

"They are extremely quick and it has been the case since the beginning of the weekend and we cannot explain quite why.

"We need to work. We will try our best tomorrow but they seem to have found something this weekend."

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Oscar Piastri stunned by brutal Charles Leclerc attack

Oscar Piastri stunned by brutal Charles Leclerc attack

  • 1 hour ago
Daniel Ricciardo heading to iconic race: 'Never been more excited'

Daniel Ricciardo heading to iconic race: 'Never been more excited'

  • 2 hours ago
F1 star Charles Leclerc bought an incredible new £15m yacht and his wife Alexandra christened it

F1 star Charles Leclerc bought an incredible new £15m yacht and his wife Alexandra christened it

  • 2 hours ago
Red Bull fury over 'childish' McLaren as 'animosity' festers between F1 rivals

Red Bull fury over 'childish' McLaren as 'animosity' festers between F1 rivals

  • 3 hours ago
Jealous of Mercedes? Lewis Hamilton fears Ferrari F1 development path

Jealous of Mercedes? Lewis Hamilton fears Ferrari F1 development path

  • Yesterday 19:43
Red Bull target sensational Oscar Piastri move with Max Verstappen future uncertain

Red Bull target sensational Oscar Piastri move with Max Verstappen future uncertain

  • Yesterday 18:57

Just in

7-5
Oscar Piastri stunned by brutal Charles Leclerc attack
7-5
Daniel Ricciardo heading to iconic race: 'Never been more excited'
7-5
F1 star Charles Leclerc bought an incredible new £15m yacht and his wife Alexandra christened it
7-5
Red Bull fury over 'childish' McLaren as 'animosity' festers between F1 rivals
7-5
Jealous of Mercedes? Lewis Hamilton fears Ferrari F1 development path
F1 news

Recommended by the editors

Daniel Ricciardo heading to iconic race: 'Never been more excited' Daniel Ricciardo

Daniel Ricciardo heading to iconic race: 'Never been more excited'

2 hours ago
Red Bull fury over 'childish' McLaren as 'animosity' festers between F1 rivals F1 News & Gossip

Red Bull fury over 'childish' McLaren as 'animosity' festers between F1 rivals

3 hours ago
Jealous of Mercedes? Lewis Hamilton fears Ferrari F1 development path Lewis Hamilton

Jealous of Mercedes? Lewis Hamilton fears Ferrari F1 development path

Yesterday 19:43
Red Bull target sensational Oscar Piastri move with Max Verstappen future uncertain F1 News & Gossip

Red Bull target sensational Oscar Piastri move with Max Verstappen future uncertain

Yesterday 18:57
Ontdek het op Google Play
x