Charles Leclerc: Sprint qualifying exit and results / Formula 1

In fact, the conditions were difficult in the final part of the sprint qualifying: the rain turned the Shanghai track into a slippery slope and the drivers were struggling to find the intermediate tires in the heat. While trying to fire up the reels, Charles Leclerc pushed himself to the limit – and beyond.

The Ferrari driver was lucky and was able to continue driving under his own power. The damage was also minimal, so he didn’t waste time. In the end he had to settle for seventh fastest. And after he got out he said: “The pavement was very hard, it was very difficult to turn on the tires.”

“I tried to be aggressive, but that made me lose control coming out of the eighth corner. Actually, going away didn’t help at all, because the steering didn’t stay the same and that had a negative effect on my whole qualifying. All in all, I would say that we couldn’t have done more ,” summed up the 26-year-old.

As always, Leclerc also practiced self-criticism: “I didn’t make the most of qualifying again, which of course I’m not happy about.” At the same time, he consoled himself: “The good thing is that I was able to make a lot of progress in the land. Because I worked hard on it. I hoped to confirm this, but that was not possible because of the rain at the end. Let’s see how it will be in GP qualifying. “First of all, we will focus on making the most of the start of the race.”

Sprint Qualifying, China

01. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, 1:57,940 minutes
02. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, 1:59,201
03. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, 1:59.915
04. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 2:00,028
05. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, 2:00.214
06. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, 2:00.375
07. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, 2:00,566
08. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, 2:00.990
09. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Sauber, 2:01.044
10. Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Sauber, 2:03,537
11. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, 1:36,345
12. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, 1:36.473
13. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, 1:36.478
14. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Bull Racing, 1:36.553
15. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, 1:36,677
16. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, 1:37,632
17. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, 1:37,720
18. Alex Albon (T), Williams, 1:37,812
19. Yuki Tsunoda (J), Racing Bulls, 1:37,892
20. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, 1:37,923