Coming out of the F1 summer break, it is the same story for Charles Leclerc as he settles for P4 in a qualifying session where he carried engine penalties. The driver coined as the championship protagonist early in the season saw himself once again being held back by his own compatriots, Ferrari.
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In the Qualifying session of the Belgium GP, the Monegasque had only one goal in his sight; to finish ahead of the defending world champion, Max Verstappen. The defending world champion who grabbed pole position, also finds himself penalized for a new power unit. However, to his advantage, he starts ahead of the Ferrari ace because of his qualifying performance.
The Maranello outfit attempted a power play in which they aimed to provide Carlos Sainz with a slipstream using Leclerc as the lead car, but after an error of the pit crew, car number 16 found itself on fresh rubber. As soon as, Leclerc found himself on new rubber, he questioned the team, “Wait, what are these tires?”
The pit wall replied, “Sorry….a mistake.”
Leclerc: “What’s with the tires?” Ferrari: “Sorry…mistake.” F1 IS OFFICIALLY BACK BABY! #F1
Bro they sent Leclerc out on new tyres just to give a slipstream and told him "Sorry it's a mistake" I fucking hate this team, they're so mind numbingly dumb
NOT CHARLES LECLERC SAYING “WHAT ARE THESE TYRES?” AND THE RESPONSE HE GOT WAS “SORRY IT’S A MISTAKE!!!” FERRARI YOU CLOWN OF A TEAM
Nice to see that Ferrari has so quickly returned to its usual form after the summer break.
Leclerc: "Wait, what are these tyres?" Engineer: "Sorry, it's a mistake" #F1 #BelgianGP
The prancing horses are back after four weeks, and a mistake on either side of the break is a consistency they did not aim for.
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Charles Leclerc’s engineers every race
Ferrari being Ferrari. Wrong tyres for Charles Leclerc. #BelgianGP #F1
Ferrari doing everything to upset Charles Leclerc. Whatever these guys smoke, definitely they mess up Sainz winning chances tomorrow #BelgianGP
📻 | Charles Leclerc: “Wait what are these tyres?” Xavi: “It’s a mistake.” #BelgianGP
Do you think Leclerc would be a victim of another strategy mistake tomorrow on race day?
How the Ferrari error cost Charles Leclerc at the Belgium GP Qualifying
The Monte-Carlo-born racing driver opted to fit in a new power unit in the back of his F1-75. Although this would provide him with an extra performance on race day, he starts P16 on the grid. Notably, in the mirrors of his championship rival, Max Verstappen.
As he dropped to the back of the grid, he played the role of a wingman for his teammate, Carlos Sainz. The slipstream from the Monegasque could only salvage a P2 for Sainz. Nevertheless, as Verstappen drops back, sustaining a penalty; it translates into a pole position for the Spanish racing driver.
BREAKING: Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris, Esteban Ocon, Valtteri Bottas and Mick Schumacher will all start at the back of the grid on Sunday More to follow... #BelgianGP #F1
When Leclerc found himself on fresh rubber, on a lap where he was only out to provide a tow to his partner, he asked his engineer about the plan inside the head of the Italians. His racing engineer, Xavi asked him to continue on his run and deliver the flying lap without any prior preparations or plan of action.
This caught the Ferrari ace out of the blue and the lack of tire and brake warm-up reflected on the timing sheets, as he found himself seven-tenths off the pace set by the Red Bull protégé. Consequently, he was an infuriating figure who once again suffered a shortcoming from the team who he dreams of winning the title with.
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For race day, 44 laps are yet to unfold and Spa-Francorchamps presents great opportunities for overtaking. As Leclerc lines up behind Verstappen, we could be in for another thrilling wheel-to-wheel between the two young guns.
Where do you think Charles Leclerc will finish in the Belgium GP? Let us know.