
Leclerc Takes Responsibility for Strategy



Charles Leclerc, a driver for Ferrari, has acknowledged that the outcome of his qualifying performance at the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix rests solely on his decisions. Despite qualifying in seventh place, Leclerc believes his strategy was focused on enhancing his race performance.
Qualifying Session Insights
During the qualifying rounds, Leclerc secured a lap time that placed him behind his teammate Lewis Hamilton. The Monegasque driver completed just one lap in Q3, significantly off the pace of McLaren's Oscar Piastri, who captured pole position. Leclerc initially placed fourth but fell back as competitors improved their timings in the latter part of qualifying.
Strategic Motion
Leclerc explained that his decision to only make one run in Q3 was intended to conserve tire sets for the race, a choice he believes could yield dividends. "I take full responsibility of the way the qualifying has gone. It was my choice," he affirmed, emphasizing his focus on tire availability for Sunday’s race.
Tire Management Concerns
Ferrari's approach to the qualifying session prioritized race performance rather than a high grid position. Leclerc stated that his limited fresh tire sets made the qualifying process more challenging. He remarked that he had to sacrifice certain runs to keep tire wear in check, a situation that might affect race dynamics. "Our strategy is aimed at yielding benefits during the race," he noted.
Outlook for the Race
As the Spanish Grand Prix approaches, set to begin at 3 PM local time, Leclerc expressed optimism regarding his tire strategy despite the qualifying struggles. He recognizes that starting seventh might not meet expectations, but he remains hopeful that a strong race could redeem the decision-making from his qualifying session.
Competitors' Performance
Leclerc’s grid position comes amid an impressive performance from McLaren, with Oscar Piastri achieving pole position and teammate Lando Norris securing second. Max Verstappen from Red Bull Racing will start in third, indicating a competitive field where Ferrari aims to leverage its tire strategy to contend effectively.