Kada Sárközi joined GPblog as an editor ahead of the 2023 Formula 1 season. He graduated with a BA in Sports Journalism in the UK and has covered Grands Prix and other F1 events live.
Charles Leclerc could have conquered pole position in Bahrain and so the Ferrari driver is feeling a little bitter. Indeed, the 26-year-old driver drove a faster time in Q2 than Max Verstappen did in the decisive Q3. Leclerc balks
"I’m a bit disappointed, but yeah, we did a good qualifying," said Leclerc after finishing second in qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix. "It’s been a tricky weekend until now. We were trying quite a few things in practice and then I found the sweet spot in qualifying."
The Monegasque driver continued: "Q1 was a bit tricky. Unfortunately we put on two new sets of softs, which compromised a little bit the Q3, but all in all it’s quite a good qualifying, a good start of the year. We are in a better place compared to a year ago, so that is good. Now we have to see the race pace tomorrow."
"In Q2 I think I did a 29.1 which was more or less the lap time that Max did in Q3, so it was there in the car. I think we lost a little bit the rhythm with the used set of C3 in Q3, then you have to readapt to the new tyres and I lost a little bit there, but all in all it’s been a positive qualifying," Leclerc continued.
"I’m confident we did a step forward but we have to wait and see tomorrow how much of a step forward we did. We really think that Red Bull is still ahead by quite a bit, in the race I mean. So we’ll see, but if there’s an opportunity as always I’ll go for it, and we’ll see what happens tomorrow."
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