Charles Leclerc beats Max Verstappen by 0.304s with Sergio Pérez third ahead of Lewis Hamilton; Lando Norris moves past George Russell to fifth; Watch Sunday’s race live on Sky Sports F1 at 2pm, with a great line-up starting at 12.30pm.
By Matt Morlidge at Paul Ricard
Last update: 23/07/22 16:25
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Charles Leclerc takes pole position for the French GP, ahead of Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez.
Charles Leclerc takes pole position for the French GP, ahead of Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez.
Charles Leclerc will start from pole position for the French Grand Prix after a superb final qualifying lap that ruled out the threat of Max Verstappen.
Leclerc and Verstappen, who are locked in a thrilling title battle, were separated by just 0.008 seconds heading into the closing stages, but the Ferrari driver found a big improvement when it mattered most and took pole by three tenths.
Leclerc was aided by a tow from team-mate Carlos Sainz – who will be at the back of the grid for Sunday’s race due to engine penalties – and the result continues with his renewed momentum as he tries to eat – the advantage of 38 points from Verstappen. .
“Without Carlos it would have been much closer, so many thanks to him,” said Leclerc.
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Join Charles Leclerc aboard his Ferrari for his pole lap at the French Grand Prix.
Join Charles Leclerc aboard his Ferrari for his pole lap at the French Grand Prix.
Sergio Pérez was third for Red Bull – meaning Leclerc will have two charging Bulls to contend with – and will be joined on the second row by Lewis Hamilton, although Mercedes struggled again at Paul Ricard.
Hamilton was the leading Silver Arrow, but 0.893s behind Leclerc, while George Russell was overtaken by Lando Norris after an epic final effort from the Briton in an upgraded McLaren saw him fifth.
Daniel Ricciardo failed to make it to Q3, along with the two Frenchmen Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly in front of an exhausted crowd.
Fernando Alonso and Yuki Tsunoda were seventh and eighth as Sainz and Kevin Magnussen, similarly penalized for engine changes, failed to set lap times in the final heat.
French GP classification: Top 101) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari2) Max Verstappen, Red Bull3) Sergio Pérez, Red Bull4) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes5) Lando Norris, McLaren6) George Russell, Mercedes7) Fernando Alonso, Alpine8) Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri9) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari10) Kevin Magnussen, Haas
More to follow.
French GP: Sky Sports F1 live Sunday schedule
8.30am: F2 Race 12.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: French GP Preparation 2.00pm: French Grand Prix 4.00pm: Checkered Flag: French GP Reaction 5.00pm: Ted’s Notebook 5.30pm: GP Highlights from France