The top three qualifiers in parc ferme (from left to right) are Charles Leclerc of Ferrari in second place, Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing in pole position, and Carlos Sainz Jr. of Ferrari in third place. This took place at the Formula 1 World Championship, Round 6, Miami Grand Prix on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at the Miami International Autodrome in Miami, Florida, USA.
Leclerc from Ferrari believes that they can apply “pressure” on Max Verstappen, who secured pole position in Sunday’s Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix. The qualifying session on Saturday set the stage for a competition between Verstappen, Leclerc, and Sainz, with Verstappen emerging as the fastest and securing his seventh consecutive pole position (sixth in 2024). Despite Verstappen’s dominance in recent Formula 1 races, Leclerc remains confident in their chances of winning on Sunday.
Leclerc’s confidence stems from the encouraging signs he observed during his second-place finish in the Sprint race. He acknowledged that Verstappen wasn’t entirely satisfied with his car during the Sprint race, which gives Ferrari hope for the main race. Leclerc mentioned that they made some adjustments on their side and are confident in their progress. If they can maintain a similar pace to what they demonstrated in the morning, Leclerc believes they can apply more pressure through strategic decisions. With both Ferrari cars starting at the front, they see this as a favorable opportunity.
The crucial moment for Ferrari’s chances will come at the start of the race at 16:00 local time on Sunday. Securing the holeshot, or taking the lead at the first corner, is vital in setting up a potential Grand Prix victory. Leclerc had a chance to experience this scenario during the Saturday morning session when he and Verstappen shared the front row. However, he fell behind Verstappen at Turn 1. Leclerc is prepared to go on the offensive on Sunday but acknowledges the need for patience throughout the entire race.
Leclerc recognizes Verstappen’s strong race pace and understands that attacking him will only be possible if there is a genuine opportunity. While he hopes to make a successful pass, he is also willing to be patient and preserve his tires to launch an attack later in the race if needed. Verstappen has been virtually impenetrable in 2024, except for a brake failure in Melbourne that allowed Leclerc’s teammate, Sainz, to claim victory. Starting in second and third positions gives Leclerc and Sainz the perfect opportunity to capitalize on any potential mistakes from Verstappen, who has been leading the pack.