Leclerc optimistic for Canadian Grand Prix after taking P5 in Sprint with ‘very strong’ pace

Charles Leclerc has been given a renewed sense of optimism for Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix after experiencing “very strong” race pace in the Sprint, with the Monegasque crossing the line in fifth ahead of team mate Lewis Hamilton.

Having admitted on Friday that he hadn’t “been at ease with the car” due to struggles with the brakes, Leclerc was running in a solid P6 for much of Saturday’s Sprint before overtaking the other Ferrari of Hamilton in the latter stages to move up one position.

Quizzed after the event on whether it had been disappointing to not be able to make more progress, Leclerc answered: “I obviously wish, but unfortunately… Yesterday was a very difficult day on my side.

“I’ve had some things that were a bit out of place on the brakes in general, and on a track like this where all the braking points are quite bumpy, brake confidence had cost me quite a bit.

“And on top of that, Lewis is extremely strong on this track, so I’ve been a bit playing catch-up so far. However, in the race I felt like my race pace was very strong, so [with] this I’m optimistic for tomorrow even though it might rain.”

Looking ahead to Qualifying later on Saturday, the 28-year-old admitted that his focus would be on the brake problems that he has been experiencing.

“For Qualifying this afternoon, I’ll just hope to fix the brake confidence I’ve had struggles with this weekend,” he explained. “It was better in the Sprint race – I hope we do another step forward in Qualifying to be at least in the top three, and then we’ll see tomorrow.”

Hamilton has looked in good form throughout the weekend so far in Montreal, but suffered a frustrating end to the Sprint when – after running in fourth – he lost two places.

The Briton was also investigated after the 100km dash for allegedly leaving the track and gaining an advantage during a late fight with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, but no further action was taken.

Hamilton summarised after the Sprint: “Piastri got alongside me into the last corner and basically overtook me, and through that I lost a position to Charles.”