Downbeat Leclerc offers ‘back to reality’ Ferrari verdict

Charles Leclerc delivered a downbeat verdict that Ferrari is “back to reality”, following a disappointing sprint qualifying ahead of the Qatar sprint. 

After topping the only practice session of the weekend, Leclerc entered sprint qualifying as a contender for pole at the Lusail International Circuit. 

However, Ferrari struggled to match the McLarens, who secured first and third on the grid. 

Leclerc and Carlos Sainz had to settle for fifth and fourth, handing an advantage in the F1 constructors’ title fight to its papaya rivals.

When asked how he felt with his sprint qualifying performance, a dejected Leclerc said: “Well, not good, because when you give it your all and we’re only P4 and P5, it’s not great, considering how important this weekend is for us. 

“But for whatever reason, FP1 was a lot above our expectations. This, I will say, is in line with what we expected. 

“So we’re coming back to reality. Obviously, after FP1, there were hopes that we could do something better, but we didn’t.”

Ferrari were quicker in practice than many had expected, with McLaren having been the outfit predicted to top the timesheets in Qatar. 

The Maranello-based team’s practice pace encouraged the outfit that it could compete at the front, only for George Russell to also qualify ahead of both Leclerc and Sainz. 

Based on qualifying, Leclerc does not believe Ferrari can compete for sprint victory, having initially thought that it was on the cards following free practice.

“If we look at FP1, clearly yes, if we look at qualifying, no,” outlined Leclerc on whether Ferrari can win the sprint. 

“For now, the most representative [session] is qualifying, so we are not in the best position. But we never know, it’s always different come race day.”