Leclerc on the last row of the grid but not resigned to the Constructors' title: "Until the last lap, I will believe in it"

The galleys continue for Charles Leclerc in Abu Dhabi. Sick the day before after food poisoning, the Monegasque was eliminated in Q2 this Saturday, during the last qualifying of the season. An unusual position that can be explained by the cancellation of his last (and best) time in Q2, after having exceeded the track limits at the exit of the first corner.

Finally ranked 14th in qualifying, the driver of the Team will therefore start second to last on the starting grid on Sunday (19th thanks to Colapinto’s penalty), after the application of his 10-place grid penalty for having exceeded the authorized quota of batteries over the entire season. A starting position far, very far from being ideal in terms of the Constructors' title because at the front, the two McLaren will start on the front row. Despite this major handicap, Charles Leclerc wants to continue to believe and hopes that the good race pace of the SF-24 on the Yas Marina track will allow him to return to the front.

Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), 14th in qualifying in Abu Dhabi : “I knew it was the only corner where, unfortunately, you could have a problem with the track limits. When you attack, a few centimetres away, it didn’t go through. It didn’t happen but I’m taking it on myself, it’s my fault and it hurts. Honestly, I think we could have done 4th, but starting 14th or 20th… 14th is always better, but it doesn’t make the weekend much easier. We’re going to try to maximise the car’s potential tomorrow. Today, it’s my fault.”

(Regarding the Constructors' Championship) "I still believe in it. Until the last lap, I will believe in it. It's sure that it's much more difficult since we know that we have the penalty and with this lap erased, we don't make Sunday easy but I will believe in it until the end."

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