Charles Leclerc of the Ferrari powered to pole position for the French Grand Prix on Saturday with Red Bull’s F1 championship leader Max Verstappen joining his main title rival on the front row.
Red Bull’s Sergio Perez has qualified with third position and British racer Lewis Hamilton completed the second row for Mercedes, Hamilton is a seven time world champion.
This pole is the 7th for Leclerc in 12 races, 16th of the Monegasque’s career, and he certainly had Spanish teammate Carlos Sainz for a thanks as he gave him a strategic aerodynamic tow that made a big difference.
“It was a great lap, I’ve struggled all weekend to put a lap together and I managed to put it,” says Leclerc, who is 38 points ahead of Verstappen in the standings.
Moreover, Leclerc’s time of one minute 30.872 seconds was 0.304 faster than Verstappen’s best, although, Ferrari will have both Red Bulls chasing on Sunday with Sainz unable to lend any assistance.
“I think we were lacking a bit in qualifying, just general grip,” said Verstappen.
Mercedes fought very hard to take the flight to Ferrari and Red Bull but in the end the second row was the closest they could manage at.
