Leclerc rues tyre strategy misstep that cost Bahrain pole

©Ferrari

Charles Leclerc finished runner-up to poleman Max Verstappen in Friday’s Bahrain GP qualifying, but the Ferrari charger rued a strategic decision by his team that he believes ultimately cost him a shot at pole position in Q3.

Leclerc concluded the evening shootout 0.228s adrift from Verstappen and just 0.078s ahead of Mercedes George Russell.

However, the Monegasque - a two-time polesitter in Bahrain - actually set the quickest lap of the session when he hammered in a 1m29.165s in Q2. But he was unable to replicate that performance when it counted most in the final segment of qualifying.

The key factor was a strategic misstep by the Scuderia that forced him to battle in Q3 with a used set of soft tyres. Consequently, Leclerc felt he had “lost the rhythm” at a crucial moment.

2024 Bahrain Grand Prix - Qualifying results

"In Q2, I did a [1m29.1s lap] which was more or less the lap time that Max did in Q3. So, it was in the car,” he explained.

"Just, I think we lost a little bit the rhythm with a used set of C3 [tyres] in Q3. Then you have to re-adapt to the new tyres, and I lost a little bit there. But all in all, it's been a positive qualifying."

©Ferrari

While disappointed with missing out on pole position, Leclerc painted a cautiously optimistic picture for Ferrari's performance.

He acknowledged that the new SF-24 car seemed to finally hit its "sweet spot" during qualifying, suggesting a positive step forward compared to previous outings.

"I'm a bit disappointed," said Leclerc. “It's been a tricky weekend until now. We were trying quite a few things in FP1, FP2, FP3. Then I found the sweet spot in qualifying.

"Q1 was a bit tricky. Unfortunately, we put two new sets of softs, which compromised a little bit the Q3. But all in all, it's quite a good qualifying to start the year.

"We are in a better place compared to a year ago, so that is good. Now, we have to see the race pace.

"I'm confident we did a step forward. But we have to wait and see how much of a step forward we did [in race trim]. We really think that Red Bull is still ahead by quite a bit in the race."

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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.