Welcome at RacingNews365

Become part of the largest racing community in the United Kingdom. Create your free account now!

  • Share your thoughts and opinions about F1
  • Win fantastic prizes
  • Get access to our premium content
  • Take advantage of more exclusive benefits
Sign in
Charles Leclerc

Leclerc reacts to puzzling sprint qualifying drama

Charles Leclerc's hopes of securing a strong starting position for the sprint were dented when an issue on pit lane denied him the chance to set a final lap.

Leclerc Austria
Article
To news overview © XPBimages

Charles Leclerc has voiced confusion over his sprint qualifying issues that hampered his final run in the session.

As the cars peeled out of the pit lane for the final laps to decide sprint pole, an issue for Leclerc saw him pull to the side to let other cars pass.

Leclerc managed to get his car back into running position but did not cross the start/finish line before the chequered flag was waved.

As a result, he is set to start Saturday's sprint from tenth place, with team-mate Carlos Sainz in fifth.

"I don't know what happened,” Leclerc said after the session. “I was in the pitlane, and then anti-stall switched off. The team told me we would speak when I was back in the garage. But I went straight from the car to here, so I don't know.”

Leclerc conceded he was not looking strong in the fight for pole before his issue in the pit lane.

"We weren't super strong but definitely better than P10,” Leclerc said when asked what was possible with no concerns. “It's a bit disappointing. 

“We will look at what happened, and [Saturday] we will try to have a good sprint race to come back to the front."

Join the conversation!

x
LATEST Perez to finally be given ‘Verstappen upgrade’ by Red Bull