How Leclerc lost Belgian GP qualifying place because of a yellow flag

Leclerc’s final-lap frustration at Spa

Charles Leclerc was denied a likely improvement at the end of Belgian Grand Prix qualifying after lifting for a yellow flag that had been displayed at pit entry but was clearly visible from the track.

Alongside the usual yellow signal in pitlane, the marshal at the start of pit entry also waved a flag. Because that signal was visible as Leclerc negotiated the final turn, he lifted slightly before crossing the line. Instead of improving, he finished 0.030 seconds slower than his previous time — a loss of roughly one tenth compared with the lap he had been building.

“I’m a bit disappointed for that last lap because there was a yellow flag that was supposed to be for the pit entry, but that was too visible, in my opinion, being on track,” Leclerc told Sky. “It was very much in the middle and that probably cost me one position.”

He stressed that the incident had not cost him a dramatic improvement, but believed fourth place was within reach.

“I wouldn’t have done a crazy better lap time and a half second was still there. But one position would have been possible,” he added.

Ferrari’s Spa performance matches expectations

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur said the marshal had been responding to Hadjar’s stationary car in the pitlane and that Leclerc had been required to lift under the rules.

“Hadjar was stopped in the pit lane in parc ferme and the marshal put out a yellow flag at the pit entry, but the pit entry is on track and Charles had to lift a little bit. It’s the rule,” Vasseur explained. “When the car in front of you is 0.030s faster, it’s a bit tough.”

The qualifying result otherwise reflected Ferrari’s expectations. After energy-deployment difficulties during free practice, Leclerc described the session as more representative of the team’s anticipated pace at Spa-Francorchamps and Silverstone, rather than the stronger performance seen at Silverstone.

Mercedes polesitter Kimi Antonelli was 0.532 seconds faster, while Leclerc’s team-mate Lewis Hamilton finished just 0.002 seconds behind him. Leclerc said Ferrari remained competitive in grip-limited sections but lost ground in power-limited parts, where Mercedes had the stronger package.

That emphasis on energy and power management was also central to the wider Spa weekend, as explored in why Spa will test F1’s 2026 energy management to the limit.