Still trailing behind the Mercedes team, Charles Leclerc assured the essential by registering the third-best time qualifying at the Grand Prix de France. Vettel, 7th in trials, will start from the fourth position.
Charles Leclerc will start on the second line at the start of the Grand Prix de France, tomorrow at 3 pm. Despite the gusts of wind that have hindered the drivers in the final qualifying rounds this afternoon, the hierarchy drawn during the free trial has not been rushed. Lewis Hamilton has indeed earned the 86th pole position of his career, with a time of 1’28 “319. The leader of the drivers’ world championship was ahead of his team-mate Valtteri Bottas (1’28 “605).
Behind the leader, the Monegasque driver has ensured the essential by earning the third fastest time. Big responsibilities now fall on his shoulders, which is probably what he wants. His Ferrari team-mate Sebastian Vettel, who had to pass through the pits due to a mechanical problem, took only the seventh best time and will start from the fourth line. Between the two Ferrari drivers, we find the Red Bull of Max Verstappen and the two McLaren drivers, Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz.
Tomorrow’s race will, therefore, offer a good fight between Leclerc and the two Mercedes drivers. Hamilton said he was “looking forward to battling” with him. The Monegasque driver, slower than the Mercedes in free trials and qualifications, will certainly have opportunities to seize on the very technical track Paul Ricard circuit. A promising race indeed!
*Article originally published on the French edition of the Monaco Tribune.