Charles Leclerc admits Max Verstappen was just too quick in qualifying for the Mexican Grand Prix.
Predictions that Ferrari would be unstoppable were unfounded in qualifying in Mexico City, as the Red Bull driver was the only one capable of breaking the 1m15s barrier in Q3, doing so twice.
It all came to nothing for the Dutchman though as he was given a three-place grid penalty for speeding under yellow flags on his final lap, meaning Leclerc will start Sunday’s race from pole.
“It’s never impossible but today it felt extremely difficult,” the Monegasque said beforehand on matching Max’s time.
“The first run in Q3 I was very happy with and we were still one-tenth behind and I don’t think much more was possible after that.
“The second run I tried to put a bit more front in the car which I wanted and then the other side it created quite a lot of oversteer in the last sector and then obviously we lost too much time.”
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- Leclerc doesn’t expect a repeat of Ferrari’s Sochi start fiasco in Mexico
Initially, Leclerc had hoped to capitalise on starting second by slipstreaming passed the Red Bull for the lead at the start.
Instead, now he’ll have to contend with teammate Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton trying to pass him into Turn 1.
And though Verstappen will now start from fourth, the Monegasque does think he’ll be a threat.
“On pure pace, I think it is going to be tricky,” he said of his victory chances.
“We are making some good steps towards better race pace but I don’t think it’s enough, at least here, to match the Red Bull pace.
“So yeah, we might be struggling a little bit but if we take advantage at the start then I think anything is possible.”
