Charles Leclerc’s Frustration Boils Over Amidst a promise from Lewis Hamilton
The Canadian Grand Prix qualifying session proved to be a frustrating affair for Charles Leclerc, who could only manage to secure eighth place on the grid. The Monegasque driver was visibly annoyed after the session, believing that his Ferrari car had the pace to take pole position.
Leclerc’s frustration stemmed from a mistake he made in Sector 2 during one of his final flying laps in Q3. Despite having time to attempt another lap, he was unable to improve his position, leaving him eighth on the grid.
“Our pace was there,” Leclerc reflected after the qualifying session. “I think the car was good enough for pole, but I messed it up completely, and I’m very annoyed. I just got out of the car, so obviously, emotions are running high.”
Leclerc’s frustration was compounded by the fact that he had limited running on Friday due to damage sustained during FP1. However, he was able to bounce back in FP3, going second fastest in the session.
When asked if this recovery gave him hope for Sunday’s race, Leclerc responded, “No, it’s irrelevant. When you do that in qualifying, then there’s nothing that gives me satisfaction.”
In contrast, Lewis Hamilton, Leclerc’s Ferrari teammate, had a more subdued qualifying session, securing fifth place on the grid. Hamilton acknowledged that Ferrari was never likely to challenge for pole position but was keen to take the positives from the session.
“We were never going to get pole, I think, clearly,” Hamilton reflected. “Mercedes brought an upgrade, I think, or I just heard, and congrats to them. Their car’s always suited this track, so [I’m] happy for them.”
Hamilton’s focus now shifts to Sunday’s race, where he hopes to challenge for a podium finish. “On our side, it’s been very, very, very tricky, but I think a better performance than Ferrari had last year, which is positive, and I’m still going to be gunning for trying to see if we can get a podium for once – that’s the goal tomorrow.”
When asked about his relationship with the Ferrari SF-25 car, Hamilton conceded that he is still adapting to the vehicle. “I don’t feel at one with the car. I haven’t all year,” he said. As for when he might feel fully comfortable with the car, Hamilton was uncertain, saying, “I don’t know if I will this year.”
As the Canadian Grand Prix gets underway, Leclerc and Hamilton will be looking to make the most of their starting positions. While Leclerc’s frustration is palpable, Hamilton’s pragmatic approach may serve him well in his pursuit of a podium finish.
