Charles Leclerc Admits Ferrari Fell Short at Belgian Grand Prix Qualifying

Charles Leclerc finished fifth in qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix, narrowly edging out Lewis Hamilton by two thousandths of a second.

What happened?

The Monegasque driver had expected to be further off the pace set by championship leader Kimi Antonelli, who secured pole position with a significant gap of over half a second. However, Leclerc was left disappointed after a yellow flag was displayed in the pit lane due to Isack Hadjar, which he believes may have cost him a position.

Why it matters for Charles Leclerc

The Ferrari star acknowledged that Mercedes' raw power was a key factor in their qualifying performance, stating that they were "simply better equipped" on circuits that require a lot of engine power. Leclerc emphasized that Ferrari's strength lies in tracks where grip plays the main role, but they struggled to match Mercedes' pace at the Belgian circuit.

What comes next?

Leclerc will start the race from fourth on the grid, following the demotion of Lando Norris to 12th place due to an engine component penalty. The 28-year-old driver expressed frustration with the yellow flag incident, which he believes may have made a difference to his position. Despite this, Leclerc remains focused on making the most of Ferrari's package and securing a strong result in the Belgian Grand Prix.

The gap to Mercedes' pace was a significant one, with Leclerc admitting that Ferrari had expected to be further off the pace. However, he remains optimistic about the team's chances in the race, stating that they will "make sure we get the most out of it." With a strong qualifying performance from Mercedes, Leclerc and Ferrari will need to dig deep to secure a podium finish.

The Belgian Grand Prix is set to take place on a challenging circuit, with a mix of high-speed corners and slow-speed sections. Leclerc will be looking to capitalize on Ferrari's strengths and push for a top-three finish, despite the tough competition from Mercedes. With a strong team behind him, Leclerc is confident that he can deliver a strong result and bring home valuable points for Ferrari.

In the end, Leclerc's qualifying performance was a disappointment, but he remains focused on the task at hand. With a strong team and a determined attitude, he will be looking to bounce back in the Belgian Grand Prix and secure a strong result for Ferrari.

18 Jul 2026: Charles Leclerc finished fifth in qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix, narrowly edging out Lewis Hamilton by two thousandths of a second.