Leclerc, famend for his one-lap tempo, was solely eighth quickest as he lapped 0.589 seconds slower than polesitter Max Verstappen whereas outgoing Scuderia team-mate Carlos Sainz ranked fourth.
However the Monegasque was at a loss to elucidate the disappointing efficiency on his facet of the storage, implying that it was only a freak episode that solely occurs “as soon as in a season” as the basics of the SF-24 automobile felt sound sufficient.
Talking to Sky Sports activities, Leclerc defined: “It is a type of periods perhaps you get it as soon as in a season. Nevertheless it’s undoubtedly not a great feeling.
“All the pieces feels okay, the steadiness isn’t method off – we are able to all the time enhance a bit of bit like each qualifying.
“If I depend on the sensation on the finish of the lap, I am like, ‘OK, that is fairly a great lap’. And then you definately have a look at the [leader] board and you’re a second off.
“So, when this occurs, usually we glance extra at tyres and the way in which you deliver the tyres to temperature. I’ve tried many alternative issues at this time and it did not work.”
Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari
Photograph by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Pictures
Leclerc added that, whereas he was missing solutions for now, Ferrari ought to be capable to financial institution on improved race tempo.
He continued: “Any of the issues I’ve tried [didn’t work]. So, for now, I haven’t got the reply.
“Nevertheless, the constructive factor, if we now have to seek out one, is that our race tempo appears to be like a bit stronger.
“However on a monitor like this, qualifying place is extraordinarily essential. In the present day, we did not do a great job.”
Leclerc had run out of sequence in Q3, setting his remaining flying lap comparatively early within the session to go away himself on the mercy of monitor evolution.
Nevertheless, even in comparison with his rivals’ banker laps, he was solely seventh quickest earlier than getting bumped one place as solely the Crimson Bulls improved their instances in the course of the second runs.
Requested whether or not a extra standard plan would have helped, Leclerc replied: “Not many individuals improved… I actually do not assume so.
“From Q1 to Q3, it hasn’t been a robust session. Already the primary lap in Q1 I used to be like, ‘The sensation is kind of OK’.
“So, usually when it’s the case, the time comes with it. In the present day, it has been fully the other. So, we have to look into it.”
