F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Leclerc: 'It was kind of the plan not go to Q3'

Charles Leclerc says that Ferrari's failure to exit Q2 was not entirely unexpected given the team's aim to make the top-ten shootout on the medium compound tyre.

Leclerc qualified P12 for the Austrian Grand Prix, just one spot behind teammate Carlos Sainz who missed the Q3 cut by a very small margin.

But the Monegasque was only half surprised by the session's outcome although he admitted to being startled by the qualifying performance of George Russell accessed Q3 for the first time with Williams.

"It was kind of the plan to not go to Q3 to be honest, because we wanted to have a free choice for tomorrow," said Leclerc. "But on the other hand I'm a bit disappointed.

"Obviously, the best would have been to go to Q3 with the medium, which Williams managed to do with George, which is very impressive. And that's what's left me a bit disappointed today. To be behind them on the medium is not great."

©Ferrari

Leclerc remained bullish however on his chances of scoring some decent points in Sunday's race given his SF21's pace in race trim.

"It's definitely looking good for tomorrow, but we'll have to analyse exactly what strategy it is better to take considering that there are actually quite a bit of cars in front of us that will be starting on the medium."

Sainz was unhappy to miss Q3 by 0.006s, but the Spaniard preferred to focus on the steady progress he's making on his side of the garage, week after week.

"You always expose yourself to this kind of scenario where obviously you don't make it through," he said, alluding to Ferrari's decision to attempt to qualify for Q3 on the medium tyre.

"But I have to honest, from my side I made a lot of progress compared to last week. I was on it the whole qualie and by six thousandths I'm not super happy.

"It's a shame, but we have good race pace and the points are given tomorrow so let's wait and see for tomorrow.

©Ferrari

"I'm happy with seeing that a second weekend at the same track, my engineering group… we can still progress on car balance and find a few bits to be better.

"Tomorrow many things can still happen, the temperature of the track will be much lower tomorrow, we’ll see.

"Today it’s been a day that for six thousandths we would have been super happy and for six thousandths now we’re not so happy.

"So we must have all these considerations that they are six thousandths of details."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

Recent Posts

Las Vegas GP: Thursday's action in pictures

The opening day of running at the Las Vegas GP was a smooth but chilly…

3 hours ago

Williams' headaches persist into Vegas practice

Williams is continuing to fight uphill battles this weekend in Las Vegas as a knock-on…

4 hours ago

Ferrari's Sainz 'not satisfied with where we are' in Vegas

It was a solid start to the Las Vegas weekend for Ferrari with Carlos Sainz…

5 hours ago

Norris labels McLaren long-run pace ‘shocking’ in chilly Vegas

Lando Norris didn’t hold back in his assessment of McLaren’s performance on the opening day…

6 hours ago

Hamilton delighted with ‘consistently strong day’ in Vegas

Lewis Hamilton was particularly happy with his opening day of running at the Las Vegas…

7 hours ago

Verstappen stuck with 'draggy' rear wing for Vegas

Red Bull fears that its prospects for this weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix - which…

8 hours ago