Leclerc ‘disappointed’ with his Q3 performance

Although Charles Leclerc would never have started the Brazilian GP on pole given his penalty, the Ferrari driver was “disappointed” with his laps in Q3.

While Max Verstappen dominated qualifying at the Interlagos circuit, Leclerc believed he at least had a chance to fight for P1 on the day.

That, though, didn’t happen.

The Monégasque made a mistake that cost him dearly, leaving him P4 on the timesheet.

He, however, will drop to 14th on the grid due to an engine change penalty.

“I’m very disappointed about my lap in Q3,” said Leclerc.

“The first timed lap I think was good enough for pole, or second but very close.

“I did a big mistake in the last corner which cost me three or four tenths so it’s completely my fault and I need to learn from this.

“The team did a great job, I think the car was there to to fight for pole at least and I didn’t do the job in the car so I’m disappointed.”

Leclerc, though, is hoping that using an alternate strategy to those inside the top ten – starting on the mediums while they are on the softs – will help him make up places.

“We’ll be starting on a harder compound than the top 10 so hopefully we can take advantage of that and come back through,” he said.

“Only time will tell but I will give it everything. I’ll try to be as aggressive as I can in the first few laps, which will be very important, and then hopefully the pace will help us to come back further up in the standings.”

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