Charles Leclerc believes the Hungarian Grand Prix start will be crucial as the Ferrari driver prepares to line up second alongside pole-sitter Lando Norris. Charles Leclerc expects a close race at the Hungaroring after warning that McLaren were extremely strong when it mattered during qualifying.
Ferrari demonstrated highly competitive race pace during Friday practice, giving Charles Leclerc an opportunity to challenge near the front. However, the Monegasque faces an additional strategic complication because he has exhausted his allocation of new Soft and Medium tyres and will therefore have to begin the race on a used set.
Charles Leclerc starts Hungarian GP from the front row
Charles Leclerc was far from delighted after qualifying in Budapest, even though Lewis Hamilton’s three-place grid penalty promoted him to second position. The Ferrari driver never found the ideal feeling with his SF-26 and repeatedly explained that he had been unable to understand how to improve through Turns 1 and 12.
Those two corners were costing Charles Leclerc almost two tenths of a second compared with the fastest drivers. His difficulties had already emerged earlier in the session, with Charles Leclerc explaining that he knew from Q1 that pole position was unlikely.
The race nevertheless gives Charles Leclerc an immediate opportunity to respond. He will start from the second grid slot alongside Lando Norris, while Ferrari’s competitive Friday long-run pace suggests that the SF-26 could perform strongly over a full stint.
Used tyres could complicate Ferrari’s race strategy
There is already one potential obstacle in Charles Leclerc’s path. Having used all his new Soft and Medium tyres, the Ferrari driver will be forced to start the Hungarian Grand Prix on an already-used set. That could lead to greater degradation and potentially require him to make his first pit stop earlier than his rivals.
Track position will be especially important at the Hungaroring, where overtaking is traditionally difficult. Charles Leclerc therefore believes the opening lap—and particularly the launch from the front row—could have a major influence on Ferrari’s chances against McLaren.
Charles Leclerc: “The start will be crucial”
Interviewed during the traditional drivers’ parade truck lap around the circuit, Charles Leclerc reflected on his improving relationship with the Hungaroring and outlined his expectations for the race.
“Until last year, I kept saying over and over again that this was a difficult track for me. I am working extremely hard because driving at a circuit like this does not come naturally to me, but things have gone well for two years now, so I’ll take that. Today is the important day and we will try to give it everything.
“We have been very competitive this weekend, but it is also true that McLaren were very strong yesterday when it mattered. I therefore think today’s race will be close. I don’t think we will have any positional advantage or anything like that. The first lap will be very important at a circuit where overtaking is difficult, the start will be crucial and, from a confidence point of view, you have to feel pretty good.
“I felt quite good yesterday. I was a little behind Lewis Hamilton, but I felt good during Friday’s race runs, so I really hope that positive feeling continues today.”
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