Leclerc overcomes braking issues to claim top ten start

Not so long ago, the presence of an Alfa Romeo Sauber in the final top ten pole shoot-out round of qualifying would have been shock news.

Now it's becoming almost a routine occurrence thanks to the team's rookie driver Charles Leclerc, who overcame significant braking issues to make it into Q3 at Hockenheim.

The 20-year-old Monegasque will start Sunday's German Grand Prix from ninth place on the grid, putting him alongside Force India's Sergio Perez.

"Yeah, for now it's going very well!" he agreed, having earlier set the fastest time in today's final practice session - a Formula 1 career first for the youngster.

"This morning was not so representative," he pointed out, referring to heavy rain that had left many drivers biding their time on pit lane.

"It was nice to drive in the wet for the first proper time," he added. "Then in qualifying it has gone pretty well.

• Vettel takes German GP pole, Hamilton hit by hydraulic failure

"We actually had some big issues on the brakes [during the session]," he revealed. "When I was braking the car was going to the right, and it wasn't easy to do the fastest lap like this.

"In the end I think we maxed out in P9, so I'm very happy about today."

Leclerc also started from ninth position in the British Grand prix two weeks ago. However his race ended prematurely because of an improperly attached wheel during his first pit stop just 18 laps into the race.

That was certainly a shame for Leclerc, who had already gained two positions prior to the enforced retirement. He's hoping that he will be able to show similar form again this weekend at Hockenheim - while keeping all four wheels on his wagon.

"I definitely hope so," he said. "Our qualifying pace is good and our race pace looks strong also. Hopefully we can have a similar race in terms of pace to Silverstone."

Leclerc is certainly enjoying his first visit to Hockenheim in a Formula 1 car, which has seen track records tumble almost every session.

"I love it!," he said when asked what he thought of the circuit. "The first corner and turn 12 are very challenging for us drivers. It feels good in the car."

Unfortunately things didn't go quite as well on Saturday for Leclerc's team mate Marcus Ericsson.

The Swede triggered a red flag midway through Q2 when he spun off i the stadium section. Although he was able to recover the car and return to pit lane, in doing do he scattered gravel all over the track in turn 13.

Race control paused qualifying to allow track workers to clean up the track, and that helped Sauber check over Ericsson's car and clear out the gravel from the C37's air intakes. He was able to go back out once the session resumed.

However he missed out on making it through to the final round by over six tenths of a second, meaning he will line up in 13th place on Sunday alongside Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton.

"We are in a strong position," said Ericsson. "The car has been feeling good and we have good form at the moment.

"We're not too far from the points," he pointed out. "We need to aim to get there and I think we have a good chance."

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