P3 was all Ferrari 'deserved' in qualifying admits Leclerc

Charles Leclerc has admitted that P3 in qualifying was all Ferrari "deserved" following a tricky Saturday at Abu Dhabi. The Ferrari driver finished third in qualifying at Abu Dhabi, behind both Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez after a stellar performance from the Red Bull duo.

The Monegasque star was 0.268 seconds behind Verstappen, who secured pole position for Sunday's race, but out-qualified Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz by one-and-a-half tenths despite trailing the Spaniard during periods of qualifying. However, his best run was still not the perfect lap from the former Sauber driver.

"I locked up in turn 6/7," Leclerc revealed after qualifying, before admitting: "It's the place [P3] we deserve today."

He added: "The Red Bulls were stronger but we are still in quite a good position for tomorrow. It's going to be close with Checo for sure."

Leclerc and Perez are currently tied on points for second in the Drivers' Championship, with the two interlocked in a battle to finish as the best of the rest behind world champion Max Verstappen.

Leclerc to work with Sainz

Max Verstappen helped Red Bull teammate Perez during qualifying by providing a two and after last week's issues between the pair, it seems as though the problems have been fixed and Verstappen will help the Mexican in Sunday's Grand Prix. However, Perez isn't the only one who can call upon help from his teammate.

"I am sure we can work together too with Carlos, I have no doubt on that," said Leclerc. "We will try to maximise the team result and we know that Red Bull are a bit stronger on a Sunday.

"So it's going to be tricky, but we are going to give it all and hopefully get that second place in the Drivers and Constructors championship. After the last 2 difficult years for the team it will be good to get that second place in the constructors. I will push for that."