7 seasons and 100% efficiency: Charles Leclerc still unbeatable in qualifying against his teammates

Arriving at the deep end in 2018 after winning titles as a rookie in the GP3 Series and in Formula 2, Charles Leclerc has often distinguished himself by his ability to perform on a flying lap. The Monegasque did not take long to stand out, signing some highlights in his first year with Sauber like his passage in Q3 in Brazil where he himself asked for one last chance.

His teammate at the time Marcus Ericsson was never able to compete with him, either in qualifying or in the race. Leclerc ended his campaign in 13th place with 39 points, the Swede in 17th with 9.

Promoted to Ferrari from the following year alongside Sebastian Vettel and with very competitive equipment in his hands, the native of the Principality was not afraid of the German ogre on the other side of the garage. They worked together for two seasons and Charles Leclerc always had the upper hand, even in qualifying while the four-time world champion was formidable in the field. A record to be noted since he inflicted a 12-9 on him in 2019, signing 7 pole positions against 2 (no one did better than him that season) and a 13-4 in 2020.

Despite 4 world titles and greater experience, Sebastian Vettel has never won the qualifying face-off against Leclerc. © Francois Flamand / DPPI

Sainz his latest victim, Hamilton in his sights

Then came Carlos Sainz in 2021. But here again Charles Leclerc proved to be the strongest. Despite a car still less competitive, the Monegasque will be the only one to steal pole positions (Monaco and Azerbaijan) from Mercedes et Red Bull who were competing this year. The Madrilenian will be content with a few good performances, to the point of beating him in the accounting balance sheet but not in qualifying, conceding a 13-9.

A phenomenon seen throughout their cohabitation at Maranello since Leclerc will never take his foot off the gas. Capable of taking his car to the limit on a flying lap as some people who have worked with him have been able to confirm, the child of the Rock will always be as intractable. If Carlos Sainz has been able to make progress in this area, his garage neighbor has systematically taken charge of evolving a notch above like their gap: 15-7 in 2022, 15-7 in 2023 and 15-9 in 2024 (a qualifying session disputed by Oliver Bearman after Carlos Sainz forfeited in Saudi Arabia).

© Xavi Bonilla / DPPI

Not forgetting that he has not only dominated internally because since 2019 and his first pole positions with the Scuderia, only Max Verstappen with 40 does better. Leclerc has 26 and is already in 12th place among the drivers with the most pole positions in the history of the F1. All this in years where Ferrari was not the dominant team on the grid.

From now on, it is Lewis Hamilton who will be running alongside him from 2025. A real client since he is neither more nor less than the record holder (104). Enough to set the bar a little higher while Charles Leclerc could further strengthen his legend as the providential man of Saturday in the event of another winning duel.

Charles Leclerc facing his teammates in qualifying

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