Charles Leclerc ended the Sprint Qualifying session at the Dutch GP with a broad smile. Despite finishing only third, starting P3 for the Zandvoort Sprint Race felt like a small victory for the Ferrari driver. He was just 55 milliseconds behind polesitter George Russell, but what made him happy wasn't just the numbers—it was the feeling of being at one with his car.
On the tight and challenging Zandvoort circuit, Leclerc was consistent from the morning practice. He admitted feeling comfortable with the SF-26 since early on, and the SQ3 result proved that the development direction is starting to pay off. “This is probably my best lap of the year,” he told Sky Sports F1, emphasizing that the sensation behind the wheel felt different compared to previous races.
Still, there was a hint of regret for not securing the front row. But Leclerc preferred to look on the bright side: “We're still missing a little bit for pole, but at least we're fighting at the front.” That statement is a breath of fresh air for the Tifosi who have been waiting for Ferrari's resurgence after the summer break.
Unlike his teammate, Lewis Hamilton, who called his SQ3 lap a “total disaster,” Leclerc felt this performance was a significant step forward. He also mentioned that the changing track conditions this morning made set-up choices trickier, but the team found the right compromise.
Now attention shifts to the Sprint Race scheduled for Saturday afternoon. Leclerc knows that sprint races often set the tone for the rest of the weekend. “We have to wait and see how the sprint goes tomorrow, but it's a positive start,” he concluded. With confidence building, can he break into the top two? Let's watch together.
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