'My best qualifying lap this year'
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc expressed optimism after a strong qualifying performance for the Dutch Sprint, while his teammate Lewis Hamilton struggled with car adjustments. George Russell secured pole position for the upcoming sprint race.
Why it matters
The performance of top drivers and teams in the second half of the F1 season is crucial for the ongoing drivers' and constructors' standings.
'My best qualifying lap this year' – Ferrari's Leclerc optimistic after Dutch GP Sprint Qualifying performance Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton will start third and seventh respectively for the Dutch Sprint.
Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton have reflected on their different Sprint Qualifying performances of the Dutch Grand Prix weekend, with the former describing it as "my best Qualifying lap this year".
Leclerc will start third for Saturday's 24-lap Sprint, as just 0.055s covered himself, polesitter George Russell and Lando Norris in second.
The Monegasque driver was pleased with his performance as Formula 1 returned from its summer break, especially after only one hour of practice earlier in the day on Friday.
"I will have preferred to start first but at the end of the day, I'm very happy about today because honestly, I think it's my best Qualifying lap this year," said Leclerc.
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