Charles Leclerc admits struggling in Shanghai as Lewis Hamilton snatches pole for the F1 Sprint in a dramatic qualifying session.
Leclerc will line up 4th for the F1 Sprint at the Chinese Grand Prix, finishing behind Max Verstappen, Oscar Piastri—and crucially, behind Lewis Hamilton, who claimed a surprise pole position for the short-format race.
After a strong showing in Melbourne, this marks a reversal in fortunes, with Leclerc admitting he simply couldn’t match Hamilton’s pace.
“I struggled a bit on my side of the garage today,” the Monegasque driver said. “From the first laps, I felt like I was a little off compared to Lewis—he was just quicker out there.”
He pointed to familiar issues with the first sector: “Turns 1, 2 and 3 were tricky for me, same as last year really. That’s a bit frustrating. But apart from that, everything was very tight.”
Despite the setback, Leclerc is keeping a positive outlook. “It’s a shame to be starting fourth, but with Lewis on pole, I’m hoping we can both put on a great show tomorrow.”
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Leclerc Trails Hamilton in Tight China Sprint Quali
Leclerc Trails Hamilton in Tight China Sprint Quali
