French Grand Prix: Pole in Leclerc

Sunny. Dry. Air +30С, track +56…53С

You can overtake at the Paul Ricard circuit, but it demands a lot from aerodynamics and engine power, so the fastest car usually wins – the one that won qualifying on Saturday. The last three races at Le Castellet have been won by drivers who started from pole.

In 2022, it again intervened in the usual pattern. In the second half of July, a strong heat came to Europe. Authorities declared an “orange level of danger” in the Var region, where the circuit is located, and Pirelli admitted they have only worked on hotter tarmac once – in Malaysia’16. In addition, the strong wind was wonderful.

The teams had to take this factor into account when setting up the cars, on the one hand to quickly bring the tires to the working range for the start of the fast lap in qualifying, and on the other to save their lives from a distance. These conditions contradicted each other, each chose a compromise that suited himself.

Sainz and Magnussen received their fourth powerhouse with three allowed for the season this weekend – and started qualifying knowing they would start last.

Pirelli chose the “middle” trio of compounds – C2, C3 and C4 as Hard, Medium and Soft. The softest tires allowed for two fast laps in a slow-fast-slow-fast pattern, many of which took advantage in qualifying.

In the first session, everyone rode in new Soft kits and tried to dodge traffic, let go of rivals and secure a clear front seat.

Leclerc already showed the best time of the weekend on the first attempt – 1:31.727, Verstappen tried to answer, but lost a tenth and a half – traffic interfered on the fast lap.

Elbon’s departure after a last-minute turnaround led to short yellow flags and hardly anyone was disappointed.

Schumacher had canceled a lap due to a run off the track and dropped from 10th to 19th place.

Leclerc had the best time, five riders from five different teams dropped out of the further battle – Gasly, Stroll, Zhou, Schumacher and Latifi.

In the second session, traffic became easier. Nearly everyone opted for a set of Soft tires rolled up for the first run, but Sainz, opting for a fresh set, set an incredible 1:31.081, nine tenths ahead of Verstappen.

Sainz and Verstappen refused the second attempt, the rest kept fighting. Leclerc added by separating them on the scoresheet. Ricciardo, Ocon, Bottas, Vettel and Albon did not qualify for the final.

Magnussen did not leave in the final. On the first attempt, Leclerc led the scoresheet with 1:31.209, Verstappen lost only eight thousandths.

On the second attempt, Sainz took off to help his partner with a slipstream. Leclerc added – 1:30.872. Verstappen also improved, but remained second.

Charles Leclerc qualified for Paul Ricard on his seventh pole of the season and 16th of his career.

Tomorrow Leclerc and Verstappen will share the front row of the grid, Perez and Hamilton will start from the second, Norris and Russell from the third.

Qualification Results