F1: Charles Leclerc Storms To Pole At Paul Ricard

Charles Leclerc recorded is 16 pole position of his career and 7th of this 2022 season as F1 retuned to France at the Paul Ricard circuit. The Monegasque managed P1 thanks to a tow from his teammate Carlos Sainz Jr who will start the race form P19 after taking a 20 place penalty for changing engine components. Regardless of the tow from Sainz, the Ferrari duo seemed to have the measure of the rapid Red Bull duo Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez who qualified in P2 and P3.

Lewis Hamilton managed P4 for Mercedes despite the much talked about aerodynamic update the 8-time constructor’s champions had come up with. His teammate George Russell will start the race from P6 as the duo were split by Lando Norris in the McLaren. Norris was tailed by Fernando Alonso in the Alpine who could have the most Grand Prix laps recorded by a race driver if he completes 3 laps of the race tomorrow.

Yuki Tsunoda in the AlphaTauri managed P8 ahead of Sainz and Magnussen who qualified P9 and P10, but both will drop down to P19 and P20 because of engine penalties. This means Daniel Ricciardo will start the rac in P9 in the other McLaren. Esteban Ocon will start in P10 for the Alpine followed by Valtteri Bottas in the Alfa Romeo in P11.

Sebastian Vettel was again impressive in what at best can be called an haphazard Aston Martin for P12. He was ahead of Alex Albon in the Williams who looked fast. Pierre Gasly who like Ocon was at his home race for the AlphaTauri managed a disappointing P16 in qualification which means he didn’t make in to Q2. The penalties to Sainz and Magnussen mean he starts in P14.

Lance Stroll in the second Aston Martin will start in P15 ahead of Guanyu Zhou in the Alfa Romeo. Mick Schumacher in the second Haas looked fast but due to a track limits violation his hot lap was cancelled at the end of Q1 which means he will start P17 ahead of Nicholas Latifi in the Williams who will start in P18 by virtue of being the slowest car on the grid.

It will be an intriguing race as hot temperatures will mean tyre degradation will be high. Ferrari struggled last year with tyre degradation but its victory against Red Bull in Austria was also due to the fact the Italians were kinder on the tyres. Red Bull also seemingly has a decisive edge in straightline speed which could leave Leclerc a sitting duck. But Sainz will likely have more power thanks to the newer parts and generally looked like the faster Ferrari. He could be a factor in the race if he can get ahead of the numerous slower cars in front of him quickly. 

F1 2022 Round 12 French GP Qualifying Results: