Charles Leclerc acknowledged that Ferrari “paid the price” during the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix after a challenging qualifying session compromised both his and the team’s chances for a strong finish.
Ferrari appeared poised to challenge for the win, with Leclerc—a known expert on street circuits—closely matching Lando Norris’ pace in the second practice session. However, their momentum unraveled in Q3, when Leclerc could only manage ninth on the grid. Compounding matters, teammate Carlos Sainz crashed, and Leclerc’s single qualifying attempt was deleted after he exceeded track limits at Turn 2. Leclerc later expressed frustration, attributing the misstep to low tire temperatures that hampered his performance.
Despite starting in a difficult position, Leclerc managed a commendable recovery in the race, finishing fifth. His strong second stint showed glimpses of what could have been had he not been hampered in qualifying.
Leclerc was quick to admit his role in the setback, calling for a review of the tire temperature issue but also taking personal responsibility. “We just paid the price for a bad qualifying,” Leclerc told media, including Motorsport Week. “I initially blamed the tire window, which wasn’t perfect. But as a driver, I should have adapted. I didn’t get the job done in quali, and today, we paid the price for that.”
Leclerc’s ‘Nightmare’ Opening Stint and Late Race Push
The start of the race was a struggle for Leclerc, who found himself stuck behind Yuki Tsunoda, Nico Hulkenberg, and Fernando Alonso during the opening stint. Overtaking proved difficult on the tight Singapore circuit, even with the added DRS zone. Leclerc described the first 25 laps as a “nightmare,” unable to break free from slower cars.
However, once his competitors pitted, Leclerc capitalized on fresh tires, mounting an aggressive charge through the field. He overtook Alonso, Sainz, and Lewis Hamilton to maximize Ferrari’s points haul by the end of the 62-lap race.
Asked about his late-race surge, Leclerc said, “I loved the race from the end of the first stint to the final laps. The beginning was tough, just waiting for those ahead to box, but once they did, we made the most of the opportunity.”
Despite the qualifying setback, Leclerc’s race performance showed resilience and determination, highlighting Ferrari’s potential in a competitive season.
