A yellow flag accidentally flagged Charles Leclerc’s final qualifying lap, pushing the Ferrari driver a spot lower on the grid.
Breach in Signalling Approaches Pit Entry
During the last seconds of the Belgian Grand Prix qualifying at Spa‑Francorchamps, Leclerc was 0.070 s ahead on his first pass when he entered the Bus Stop chicane. The session had ended and a yellow flag was already displayed on the pit lane to signal parc ferme. A marshal standing at the start of the pit entry also waved a separate yellow flag, which was clearly visible on the track as Leclerc approached the final turn. The Ferrari driver lifted slightly in response, a manoeuvre that is strictly regulated by the rules.
Impact on Leclerc’s Time and Grid Standing
As a result, Leclerc’s final lap time slipped by 0.030 s compared to his earlier run, dropping him to finish one tenth of a second slower. He stayed just 0.024 s behind George Russell, who secured the fourth grid spot. Leclerc expressed his frustration: “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,”
he told Sky.
Team principal Fred Vasseur added, “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. When the car in front of you is 0.030 s faster, it’s a bit tough.”
Team Reactions and Context of the Weekend
Leclerc’s session had otherwise followed expectations, after a difficult free‑practice week marred by energy‑deployment uncertainty. The Ferrari was ahead of Mercedes’ power unit, a clear deficit that was evident in the 0.532 s gap to pole‑winner Kimi Antonelli, while teammate Lewis Hamilton trailed Leclerc by just 0.002 s. He noted that Spa‑Francorchamps’ blend of high‑speed and technical sections made the power‑limited aspects a decisive factor, but that grip‑limited performance remained strong. Leclerc said the team must focus on such tracks to maximise the current package.
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