Ferrari has had a topsy-turvy weekend at the Canadian GP, with a crash in FP1 seeing the No. 16 car of Charles Leclerc on the back foot. A mistake during Leclerc’s final flying run in Q3 sees him starting the race Sunday on the fourth row, in P8.
It’s been a less-than-ideal weekend for Charles Leclerc at the Canadian GP. After a crash in the early minutes of FP1 on Friday, he sat out all of FP2. He set his sights on a better Saturday. He aimed for a stronger Saturday, and after finishing P3 in FP3, things seemed to be improving. However, an early push in Q3 left him with a P8 starting position for Sunday’s race.
Frustrations abound
Speaking to the media following the Saturday qualifying session, Leclerc expressed his frustrations following an emotional exit.
“Yeah, I f***ed up completely, and I’m very annoyed. I just got out of the car, so obviously emotions are running high. I’m very annoyed.”
Leclerc later reflected on the decision to head out early in Q3 and how traffic impacted his flying laps.
“Yeah, I don’t know if it was the right thing or not to go out early. We ended up having Isack in the middle of turn six or seven, in the middle. He was 100 metres in front, but with these cars and on a track like this, you lose all the grip.”
“We only had done like seven corners, but I think it was good enough for Pole. So I’m very frustrated. I think today the car was good, but we haven’t maximised anything.”
Chances for recovery come Sunday
Despite a difficult Friday, Leclerc delivered a strong performance in FP3, finishing in the top three. He was asked about the potential for a recovery drive on Sunday, but he wasn’t optimistic about the possibility of securing a high finish, given his starting position.
“No, it’s irrelevant. I mean, when you do that in qualifying, then there’s nothing that gives me satisfaction.”
The weather has always played a massive part in strategy during the Canadian Grand Prix, which, if played right, could see the Ferrari in higher positions. It’s all to play come Sunday for the scarlet Ferrari.
Charles Leclerc will start the Canadian Grand Prix from the fourth row, in P8 alongside McLaren’s Lando Norris.
