
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Belgian Grand Prix – Spa-Francorchamps, Spa, Belgium – August 27, 2022 Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc before qualifying REUTERS/Stephane Mahe

via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Belgian Grand Prix – Spa-Francorchamps, Spa, Belgium – August 27, 2022 Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc before qualifying REUTERS/Stephane Mahe
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: “Wait, what are these tyres?”
Ferrari: “They’re a mistake.”#BelgianGP #WTF1 pic.twitter.com/r48IrOXYeb— WTF1 (@wtf1official) August 27, 2022
Leclerc: “What’s with the tires?”
Ferrari: “Sorry…mistake.”
F1 IS OFFICIALLY BACK BABY! #F1 pic.twitter.com/i7msNOcSDn
— Matthew Burroughs (@MJBurroughs) August 27, 2022
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
— Luke 🆑 🧪 (@ElPredestinato) August 27, 2022
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
— tia is crying forever (@vettelton16) August 27, 2022
Nice to see that Ferrari has so quickly returned to its usual form after the summer break. https://t.co/5ErFo4V9IM
— Jordan Bianchi (@Jordan_Bianchi) August 27, 2022
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.
READ MORE: Sebastian Vettel Left Dodging Police Bikes Because of Aston Martin Successor Fernando Alonso
Charles Leclerc’s engineers every race pic.twitter.com/EeKLbsrWLk
— Ferrari Fan TV (@FerrariFanTV) August 27, 2022
Ferrari being Ferrari. Wrong tyres for Charles Leclerc.#BelgianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/eFuf7KcBL6
— PlanetF1 (@Planet_F1) August 27, 2022
Ferrari doing everything to upset Charles Leclerc. Whatever these guys smoke, definitely they mess up Sainz winning chances tomorrow#BelgianGP pic.twitter.com/ST8ETPuabH
— Kwaku The Hustler (@ChogoErastors) August 27, 2022
.@Charles_Leclerc "Why am I on new tyres?"@ScuderiaFerrari : "Sorry, that was a mistake."
Mattia Clownnotto and Ferrari PR team after this qualifying:#WTF1 #BelgianGP #Formula1 pic.twitter.com/qt8ThTJ5DT— Sebi (@Sebastiandgs_) August 27, 2022
How Charles Leclerc stops himself from swearing at the incompetents on the Ferrari pit wall, I will never know. #BelgianGP
— Joe Miller (@JoeMillerJr) August 27, 2022
📻 | Charles Leclerc:
“Wait what are these tyres?”
Xavi: “It’s a mistake.”#BelgianGP
— 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐚 (@artleclerc) August 27, 2022
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 pic.twitter.com/0DaGY543I3
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 26, 2022
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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.
Watch This Story: Not Max Verstappen or Charles Leclerc: Red Bull Chief Picks This F1 Driver for ‘Surprise of the Year’
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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.
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