Charles Leclerc made the chief choices on his tyre decisions that led to a “under expectations” seventh on the grid for the Components 1 Spanish Grand Prix, aiming to have higher tyres for the race.
Leclerc burned via an additional set of tyres in Q1 after which aborted a second run within the second stage of qualifying, with the goal of retaining them marginally extra contemporary for Sunday’s race, however this left him with only one new set to make use of within the remaining stage of qualifying.
The Monegasque was thus given one run in Q3, which he elected to take in the midst of the session – which left his preliminary effort to succeed in fourth on the provisional grid vulnerable to the advance from different drivers.
As such, Leclerc dropped to seventh as Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Lewis Hamilton, and Max Verstappen improved on their final efforts to maneuver in entrance of the Ferrari driver on Sunday’s grid.
Leclerc defined that he’d wished to present himself a “Plan B” to go once more, and that he took duty for qualifying being considerably under par.
“I believe that with two units in Q3 it is all the time simpler and I most likely would have discovered time,” Leclerc stated after the session.
“How a lot, I do not know. Additionally, I believe there was slightly bit extra clouds. However I take full duty of the best way the qualifying has gone.
Frederic Vasseur, Staff Principal of Scuderia Ferrari with Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Photograph by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Pictures through Getty Pictures
“It was my selection and in Q3 it was my option to go within the center when the crew was pushing me to go to the top. I nonetheless wished to have a plan B in case that one lap wasn’t going to plan a mistake or in any respect the possibility to have a second lap. In order that’s on me.”
Leclerc defined that he did this with a view to Sunday, however acknowledged that he would take duty – or credit score – relying on how his race ended up going.
He’ll begin immediately behind his team-mate Hamilton on the grid, and alongside Alpine’s Pierre Gasly because the Frenchman loved a powerful Saturday at Barcelona.
“I additionally did all these decisions with a view to have higher tyres for tomorrow’s race. If tomorrow we’ve a really unhealthy race then I will must take the duty of a nasty weekend,” he added. “If it goes nicely then I am blissful to take the credit score of pushing the crew a method – however solely time will inform.
“Clearly P7 is slightly bit under our expectations. Even with the alternatives I’ve made for qualifying I count on it to be a bit additional up. But it surely’s the best way it’s.
“Now the alternatives are made and I hope that tomorrow it should repay.”
Photographs from Spanish GP – Saturday
On this article
Jake Boxall-Legge
Components 1
Charles Leclerc
Ferrari
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