Leclerc sees off Verstappen to storm to French GP pole

Charles Leclerc will start on pole position for the French Grand Prix after a superb final lap of qualifying saw off the threat of Max Verstappen.

Leclerc and Verstappen, who are locked in a thrilling title battle, were split by just 0.008s heading into the closing stages but the Ferrari driver found huge improvement when it mattered most and took pole by three-tenths.

Leclerc was helped 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 his new-found momentum as he bids to eat into Verstappen’s 38-point lead.

“Without Carlos it would have been much closer, so a huge thanks to him,” said Leclerc.

Sergio Perez was third for the Red Bull – meaning Leclerc will have two charging Bulls to contend with – and he will be joined on the second row by Lewis Hamilton, although Mercedes yet again struggled at Paul Ricard.

Hamilton was the lead Silver Arrow but a whopping 0.893s off Leclerc, while George Russell was outpaced by Lando Norris after an epic final effort from the Brit in an upgraded McLaren landed him fifth.

Daniel Ricciardo failed to make it through to Q3, along with both French drivers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly in front of a sell-out crowd.

Fernando Alonso and Yuki Tsunoda were seventh and eighth as Sainz and the similarly penalised over engine changes Kevin Magnussen failed to set lap times in the final shootout.

French GP Qualifying: Top 101) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari2) Max Verstappen, Red Bull3) Sergio Perez, 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’s live Sunday schedule

8.30am: F2 Feature Race12.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: French GP Build-up2pm: The French Grand Prix4pm: Chequered Flag: French GP Reaction5pm: Ted’s Notebook5.30pm: French GP Highlights