Leclerc enjoyed 'lonely' but flat-out sprint race

©Ferrari

Charles Leclerc finished where he started Saturday's Sprint Qualifying at Silverstone, but the Ferrari driver thoroughly enjoyed his lonely but flat-out run to P4.

Having opted for the medium tyre as the majority of the field, Leclerc held his own at the start which the front-runners negotiated without any drama, and settled in behind third place man Valtteri Bottas, running not too far behind the Mercedes driver.

"Even though it was quite a lonely race I actually enjoyed it," said Leclerc. "To be pushing 17 laps flat out is a bit different so I really enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to tomorrow."

2021 British Grand Prix - Sprint Qualifying results

Leclerc will line up fourth on Sunday's grid, but the Monegasque admitted that securing a podium will require making up a position at the start.

"I'll try to push for a podium for sure but if we don't make the position at the start then it's going to be difficult to overtake on track," he said.

"So we definitely need to make a position at the start without taking too much risk because we are not fighting Mercedes and Red Bull this year, but if there's an opportunity, I'll take it."

As usual, Ferrari's main rival on Sunday will be McLaren whose drivers qualified just behind Leclerc, with Lando Norris in fifth position and Daniel Ricciardo sixth.

"Today, the pace was very good, I could stay behind Valtteri all the race more or less at a reasonable distance without him pulling away too much so that is positive for tomorrow," concluded Leclerc.

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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.