"He just pushed a little too hard," admits Vasseur after Leclerc' costly mistake in Q3
Originally published by F1Technical
Ferrari delivered their most competitive qualifying performance in weeks at the Circuit de Barcelona‑Catalunya, yet the session still ended with mixed emotions for the Scuderia.
The team arrived in Spain with a major upgrade package and, after a subdued FP3, both drivers came alive when it mattered. Lewis Hamilton topped Q1 and carried that momentum all the way into Q3, where he secured a superb front‑row start. Charles Leclerc, meanwhile, looked capable of fighting for pole — until a snap of oversteer at the start of Q3 sent him into the barriers and left Ferrari with a late‑night rebuild.
Team Principal Fred Vasseur summed up the mood inside the garage with a blend of optimism and frustration.
“After this qualifying, we have mixed feelings in the garage. There are definitely some positives: there was a huge push from everyone to bring this major upgrade package to Barcelona. It is paying off as the pace is clearly there which is an important factor.”
Ferrari’s pace was indeed encouraging. Hamilton finished just 0.064s behind pole‑sitter George Russell, suggesting that the team’s first Ferrari pole of the season is now a realistic prospect. But Leclerc’s crash prevented the Scuderia from converting their raw speed into a stronger combined result.
“Of course we are disappointed for Charles as we could have secured a much better team outcome. He felt he had what he needed to take pole and he had been on the pace in all the sessions. He just pushed a little too hard.”
Despite the setback, Vasseur emphasised that Sunday’s race offers Leclerc a chance to recover — especially with tyre degradation expected to play a major role.
“But it is what it is, and tomorrow’s race will be a long one and with the likelihood of tyre degradation being a factor, Charles can fight back.”
Hamilton’s performance, meanwhile, was a major boost for the team. After a difficult Friday, the seven‑time world champion built confidence throughout the sessions and delivered one of his strongest laps of the season when it counted.