Charles Leclerc admits he “didn’t put it together” in Q3 as he missed out on pole position at the Dutch Grand Prix.
In the closest qualifying session of the season, the Ferrari driver finished second to Max Verstappen by just 0.021s at Zandvoort on Saturday.
However, that was still closer than Leclerc thought he would be after seeing the home hero’s pace in Q1 and Q2.
“Very very close. Max did a great lap in the end,” he said in parc ferme.
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“Our car was getting better and better through qualifying. At the beginning, I was pretty scared because Max was much quicker than us on used tyres but in Q3, the car came a bit more together and I managed to do that lap which was close enough for P2.
“But tomorrow is the race and we will give it all.”
The tight session also came as a relief to Leclerc and Ferrari following the Red Bull driver’s dominance a week ago at Spa Francorchamps.
“It’s good to be back where we were at the start of the season, competitive again,” the Monegasque said.
“The pole position lap today was in the car. I just didn’t put it together. I did a mistake at Turn 10 and I went very wide.
“I lost about a tenth compared to my previous lap. It happens, it is like that when you push at the limit.
“It’s been four or five races that I am not confident with the balance of the car in qualifying.”
Looking ahead to Sunday, Leclerc is anticipating another very close battle with Verstappen.
“We are much stronger here compared to last weekend, that is good to see,” he said.
“For tomorrow, I think our race pace looks quite strong, it is going to be close with Red Bull.
“We need to do a great start and then we will see.”