Leclerc still hopeful but: 'That's going to make it tough'

It was a disappointing qualifying session in Japan for Charles Leclerc. The Monegasque driver will have to start from P8 tomorrow. Despite the disappointing result, the Ferrari driver does think the race pace is good, he told reporters after qualifying.

This was the worst qualifying for Leclerc in 2024 so far. Consequently, he was not at all happy. The Monegasque got angry with his team over the on-board radio. He did not understand why Ferrari had sent him out so late in FP3.

Leclerc hopes for comeback at Japan GP

Leclerc reacted with surprise after qualifying: "We are further away [from Red Bull] than we thought. Maybe the car characteristics also don't fit as much Suzuka as the Red Bull does. However, it's a bit strange because I think on the long run we're pretty good, but on the short run we were nowhere today so that's why it tells me that it's probably mostly tyre-related when it's like this."

Despite the disappointing qualifying, Leclerc still has hope, but with a caveat: "I'm optimistic about our race pace I'm less optimistic to overtake on a track
like this. Suzuka normally is a very difficult track to overtake so if we have enough pace to overtake then I think we can do great tomorrow but I think it's going to be difficult."