Charles Leclerc suffered a devastating setback during qualifying for the F1 Canadian Grand Prix after a small error on his final flying lap prevented him from securing pole position. The Ferrari driver faced a tough weekend from the start, as an accident during the first practice session forced him to miss the entire day’s running.
Despite this early disadvantage, Leclerc returned to the track for FP3 on Saturday and showed promising speed, raising hopes that he could challenge for the top spot on the grid. His performance in Q3 was initially strong, with a particularly impressive first sector on his last lap, where he was faster than George Russell by two-tenths of a second. However, a slight mistake later in the lap ultimately compromised his time.
Leclerc Expresses Frustration Over Lost Opportunity and Track Conditions
Speaking with Sky Sports following qualifying, Leclerc revealed his disappointment at missing out on a chance for pole, blaming dirty air from traffic on the circuit as the key cause for his slip-up. He explained,
“I’m very disappeared because I don’t think yesterday had any impact on my bad performance today. Q3 last lap I was putting everything together until Turn Six or Seven where I found myself with Isack [Hadjar] 100-150 metres in front, which is not impeding that’s for sure, but the dirty air on a track like with the walls so close you lose so much and I lost the rear.”
He continued by questioning whether tyre choice played a role but remained convinced that the overall pace was there to claim pole position. He added,
“I’m very disappointed. I believed in it today. I thought that there was the pace in the car to be on pole. I don’t know if the choice of the tyre eventually would have cost us pole, but it would have been close, so I’m very disappointed.”
Lewis Hamilton Secures Fifth Place Despite Challenges
Leclerc’s teammate, Lewis Hamilton, managed to avoid mistakes and will start the Canadian Grand Prix from fifth position. Unlike Leclerc, Hamilton felt that their car’s limits made P5 the best achievable result. In his own words,
“We did the best we could with set-up. We have been working flat out all weekend trying to get it to go quicker but I just don’t think the car’s going to go that much faster. I definitely don’t think we can compete with the guys at the front and we just have to accept that that’s the way it is.”
This marks the second consecutive race where Hamilton outqualified Leclerc, although both drivers faced challenges with their cars’ performance. For the experienced driver, this qualifying result serves as a positive sign amid a difficult season.
Implications for Ferrari and the Canadian GP Race
Leclerc’s error and resulting loss of pole position mark a significant blow to Ferrari’s hopes in Montreal, especially after his earlier crash limited his track time. Starting behind rivals reduces his chances to control the race pace at a circuit known for its tight walls and limited overtaking opportunities. Meanwhile, Hamilton’s steady performance ensures he remains in striking distance for points, though Ferrari’s pace deficit remains evident.
As the race approaches, Ferrari must find ways to maximize their strategy and minimize mistakes if they hope to challenge the frontrunners. For Leclerc, recovering from this disappointment will be crucial in maintaining championship ambitions.
