F1 | Leclerc: “Mocked by tire overheating. But the pace is there”

Another second place. Charles Leclerc also gave Ferrari the front row in Qualifying for the Miami Grand Prix after having already done so in the Sprint Qualifying on Friday night and in the Sprint Race this afternoon.

Leclerc stopped the clock in 1’27″382, 141 thousandths of a second slower than the time that earned pole position for the usual Max Verstappen, author of his sixth consecutive pole position.

Leclerc, like almost all pole contenders, achieved his best time in the first of two attempts made in Q3. A very difficult session for everyone, with the cars having a tendency to slide especially in the central sector due to the nature of the track.

“We were very at the limit. Very close to Max but then the car started to slip when we started to look for the limit, we lost time especially in the second and third sectors,” said Leclerc at the end of Qualifying.

What held back the Red number 16 was the overheating of the tyres. The SF-24 always guaranteed an exceptional first sector, but then dropped significantly in the following two, with Verstappen making the difference despite not shining like on other occasions.

“We went very well in the first, but then with overheated tires we lost in the following sectors. But the race is tomorrow, this morning we showed a good pace and we hope to put pressure on Max tomorrow.”

In the Sprint Race Leclerc was unable to overtake Verstappen at the start or even stay in the DRS zone. Tomorrow he will try to reverse the trend, well aware that the first lap could prove decisive.

The other option to be able to put pressure on the Dutchman is to stay under one second in order to be able to use the DRS. The drag reduction system on the Miami track has significant power. This is why he will have to try not to lose more than 1 second from the number 1 RB20 if plan A – i.e. overtaking on the first lap – does not materialise.

“Tomorrow the start will be very important. But if we don’t manage to overtake Max, it will be important to always stay in the DRS area, because the DRS is very powerful here. If we lose it, then it becomes difficult to get back into the area.”

“But first there is the start and we have to do it well. This morning went well. But tomorrow we will have to do it even better.” concluded Leclerc.