A rain-soaked Spa-Francorchamps delivered a shock Belgian Grand Prix pole position for Charles Leclerc, surprising even the Ferrari driver himself.
The Monegasque, who expected to battle for fifth place, capitalized on a late push in Q3 to secure second on the grid behind Max Verstappen, only to inherit pole due to the Dutchman’s 10-place grid penalty for Sunday’s event.
After the initial Q3 runs, Leclerc found himself a distant seventh, over a second adrift of the quickest time set by Verstappen.
However, a timely gamble on a fresh set of Intermediate tyres paid off handsomely as the Ferrari driver was able to overhaul his rivals to conclude the top-ten shootout second, 0.595s behind Verstappen.
"I definitely did not expect it this weekend, and obviously with the tricky conditions, we did something above our expectations, it is a good day for the team," said Leclerc, who will be joined by Sergio Perez on the front-row of Sunday’s grid.
"Without this rain, P5 was probably the position we were fighting for, with the Mercedes especially, but obviously the rain has helped us a little bit.”
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Despite the unexpected result, Leclerc remained cautious, emphasizing the need to convert the strong qualifying performance into a podium finish.
"I am not going to complain, I'm really happy with the lap in Q3, and it is good to be back on the front row of the grid,” he said. “But we've got to finalise it tomorrow."
©Ferrari
Leclerc’s front-row spot provides Ferrari with an opportunity to capitalize on Verstappen’s grid penalty and challenge for a solid bag of points in Sunday’s race.
However, this year’s Monaco Grand Prix winner expects his McLaren and Mercedes rivals – not to mention Red Bull’s Perez – to be snapping at his heels at the start, from the exit of La Source all the way though Eau Rouge and up the Kemmel straight.
"Now we need to focus on [the race], and see what will happen whenever the rain is gone," he said.
"It is not the easiest place to keep first place on the first lap, but honestly, every start is different and then once I'm through Eau Rouge, I'll decide what is the best thing I can do.
“But obviously I'll try to keep first place."
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