Charles Leclerc web ST

Picture Credit: Twitter

Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen were involved in a tough tussle in the 2022 French Grand Prix qualifying event. It was Leclerc, who with the help of a tow from team-mate Carlos Sainz, will start at pole position in the French Grand Prix. It will also be the first occasion for Ferrari to mark its presence in this position at Circuit Paul Ricard after 1990. The final lap witnessed Leclerc finishing the race in 1m 30.872s, keeping Red Bull’s Verstappen behind by 0.304s.

"It was a great lap," Leclerc said, as he celebrated his seventh pole in 12 races this year. "I struggled all weekend to put a lap together and I managed to put it. But I must say thanks to Carlos because it would have been much closer without him."

"Overall we were lacking a bit in qualifying, just general grip. It was a bit more tricky than I would have hoped but we still have a decent race car,” said Verstappen

"Tomorrow will come to our favour. We are quick on the straights and we can use that,” he added.

Another Red Bull driver, Sergio Perez finished third, while getting behind his fellow team-mate by 0.159s. Lewis Hamilton came at fourth position with a timing of 1m 31.765s. On the other hand, Lando Norris and George Russell took P5 and P6 respectively.

Alpine’s Fernando Alonso and AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda were the last two drivers to set a time in Q3 and finished in the seventh and eighth position respectively.

Carlos Sainz and Kevin Magnussen started the race at the back of the grid due to penalties faced by power unit changes. Sainz changed his entire hybrid system, while Magnussen used a new internal combustion engine. Daniel Ricciardo missed out on making it through Q3 by falling short of the barest of margins and finished 11th.

2022 French Grand Prix will take place on Sunday (24 July) at Circuit Paul Ricard.

French GP Qualifying: Top 10

1) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

2) Max Verstappen, Red Bull

3) Sergio Perez, Red Bull

4) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes

5) Lando Norris, McLaren

6) George Russell, Mercedes

7) Fernando Alonso, Alpine

8) Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri

9) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari

10) Kevin Magnussen, Haas