P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Charles Leclerc felt pole position for the Hungarian GP was the “most unexpected” his F1 career. It owed a lot to his and Ferrari’s quick thinking in qualifying
Charles Leclerc has openly admitted that his pole position for Formula 1’s Hungarian Grand Prix was the “most unexpected” of his career. Despite various factors contributing to the surprising result, including cooler temperatures and a shift in wind direction that disadvantaged McLaren, one critical Ferrari decision ultimately determined the outcome. Unlike the common strategy of waiting until the end of qualifying for the best track conditions, Ferrari opted to send Leclerc out early, recognizing that delays resulted in suboptimal tyre temperatures during Q1 and Q2. Ferrari’s Team Principal, Fred Vasseur, highlighted the difference made by avoiding queues that led to significant tyre temperature loss. Leclerc’s directive to go out early in Q2 proved instrumental in securing pole position, as the team’s bold decision paid off by allowing Leclerc to capitalize on ideal tyre conditions and outpace competitors in Q3. Ultimately, Leclerc’s strategic early runs and favorable tyre temperatures played a crucial role in securing his unexpected pole position and reaffirming his status as a qualifying threat in Formula 1.
