Charles Leclerc will start the Spanish GP from 19th after being knocked out in Q1 for the first time since 2019; Sergio Perez laments lack of confidence after sudden Q2 exit; watch the Spanish Grand Prix live on Sky Sports F1 from 12.30pm on Sunday with lights out at 2pm
Last Updated: 03/06/23 7:37pm
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Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was disappointed after failing to qualify for Q2 in Barcelona, finishing 19th at the Circuit de Catalunya
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was disappointed after failing to qualify for Q2 in Barcelona, finishing 19th at the Circuit de Catalunya
Charles Leclerc remains adamant there is “something not right” with his Ferrari after a shock early exit in Spanish Grand Prix Qualifying.
Leclerc will start Sunday’s race in 19th having finished just ahead of Williams’ Logan Sargeant at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
Often one of the best drivers on the grid for a lap, Leclerc was no exception in the wet conditions, with his struggles all the more surprising in light of Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz’s -gain second place.
The Monegasque was underwhelmed by how much had changed from the last practice on Saturday, where he was delighted with the feel of the upgraded SF-23.
“I don’t have an answer at the moment, all I can say is that the left corners are undriveable, the right-hand corner feels the same as in the morning,” said Leclerc.
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Leclerc was left in a sad mood after his early exit
“But there is something on the left side that we need to analyze and understand, because it is very difficult.
“I thought it was the tires in the first set, but then went into the second set and it felt the same.
“I just don’t have any grip on the left side from the back. We will check the car and I will be very surprised if everything is fine.”
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Max Verstappen took pole again in his Red Bull ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and McLaren’s Lando Norris
Leclerc, who is the only non-Red Bull driver to take pole position this season, was knocked out in Q1 for the first time since the 2019 Monaco Grand Prix.
“Many moments and even at the first red flag I almost lost it and put it on the gravel in the left corner and it was very strange behavior so we have to check.
“Even this morning in the conditions, in the difficult conditions this morning. I felt really good in the car. So there’s something.”
Perez is optimistic about the podium despite the lack of confidence
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Red Bull’s Sergio Perez and Mercedes driver George Russell were both eliminated in Q2 at the Circuit de Catalunya
Almost joining Leclerc in making a Q1 exit was Red Bull’s Sergio Perez, whose team-mate Max Verstappen also showed an excellent performance, with the Dutchman comfortably claiming pole.
Since appearing to ignite a world championship contest with Verstappen by winning the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in April, Perez’s form has dropped dramatically.
The Mexican failed to score points in Monaco last week after a qualifying crash left him at the back of the grid, and another mistake cost him Barcelona.
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Sergio Perez admitted he was not happy with his Red Bull’s performance after qualifying 11th at the Circuit de Catalunya
On the verge of breaking into Q2, Perez was flying when he went into the gravel at Turn 5, his tires broke with no time left for a new set, leaving him 11th.
“I mentally touched the wet patch and the car just disappeared,” Perez said. “I was able to control it, get out there but the tires were too hot, too hot to do anything on the lap, unfortunately, but it is what it is.
“I’m not very comfortable with the car to be honest. I had a good last practice, I think we managed to make some good progress, but all the way through qualy I’m not as confident. a little more difficult for us.”
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Red Bull team principal Christian Horner believes Sergio Perez was unsettled today which resulted in the Mexican qualifying 11th at the Circuit de Catalunya
Unlike Monaco where overtaking was almost impossible, Red Bull’s incredible run, which saw them win each of the first six races of the season, should enable Perez to fight back in the Sunday field.
“Hopefully we can recover and get some points and hopefully we can get back into the podium positions,” Perez said.
“We have a strong pace in the race, but everyone is close to the top so it will be difficult to improve.”
Sky Sports F1 live Spanish GP schedule
Sunday June 4
8:50am: F3 Feature Race
10.20am: F2 Feature Race
12.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday Spanish GP build-up
2pm: THE SPANISH GRAND PRIX
4pm: Checkered Flag Spanish GP reaction
5.45pm: Indy NXT – Detroit GP
8pm: IndyCar – Detroit GP
Will Red Bull’s winning streak continue in F1 2023 at the Spanish GP? Watch all the action live on Sky Sports F1 from 12.30pm on Sunday. Taking over Sky Sports
