Lewis Hamilton has finished third in the past three Grand Prix
It allowed Leclerc to be more than 0.2secs quicker through the middle sector – Ferrari’s weakest part of the track – than on his previous lap, and the car’s pace in the corners of the final sector stretched him further ahead.
Leclerc said he was “surprised” Ferrari were so quick as Red Bull had appeared to have an advantage in practice.
“It was a great lap,” he said, as he celebrated his seventh pole in 12 races this year. “I struggled all weekend to put a lap together and I managed to put it. But I must say thanks to Carlos because it would have been much closer without him.”
However, Red Bull look ominous going into the race, because of the car’s obvious advantage on the straights.
Verstappen said: “Overall we were lacking a bit in qualifying, just general grip. It was a bit more tricky than I would have hoped but we still have a decent race car.
“Tomorrow will come to our favour. We are quick on the straights and we can use that.”
Both the world champion and Leclerc said they did not believe that the slipstream had been decisive.
Leclerc said: “I think it’s around 0.2secs (I gained) in the car to the lap before in the tow. So it’s significant. It would have been a lot closer. It was a nice help anyway.”
Sainz looked as if he would have had a good shot at pole had he not had his penalty – he set the fastest time in second qualifying, with a lap just 0.2secs slower than Leclerc’s ultimate pole time.
“Unfortunately the penalty comes at a point in the season when I am feeling at the best with the car,” Sainz said. “I have been all weekend very fast.
“But obviously because of the penalty the target was to get to Q3 and give the tow to Charles, which I think I did pretty well. I think it was pretty nailed. I am happy for the team.” (BBC)
