Leclerc optimistic in Canada after ‘very strong’ Sprint pace

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What is F1 TV?F1 GlossaryGet involved2026 RegulationsNewsVideosLeclerc optimistic in Canada after ‘very strong’ Sprint paceAntonelli offers verdict on Russell incident in Canada SprintNorris pleased to ‘pick up the pieces’ in Canada SprintRussell reacts to Antonelli fight after Canada Sprint winPlay0:39Colapinto brands the Sprint ‘a bit annoying because we were so close to the points’ 5:45F1 Academy Highlights: 2026 Canadian GP Race One Alexander AlbonFernando AlonsoKimi AntonelliOliver BearmanGabriel BortoletoValtteri BottasFranco ColapintoPierre GaslyIsack HadjarLewis HamiltonNico HulkenbergLiam LawsonCharles LeclercArvid LindbladLando NorrisEsteban OconSergio PerezOscar PiastriGeorge RussellCarlos SainzLance StrollMax VerstappenAll Drivers Hall of FameTeamsChevron DropdownAlpineAston MartinAudiCadillacFerrariHaas F1 TeamMcLarenMercedesRacing BullsRed Bull RacingWilliamsAll TeamsFantasy & GamingChevron DropdownF1 Sim RacingFantasyF1 25F1 Manager 24F1 PredictF1 ClashF1 Members' AreaMenuFIA if(window.f1MobileDetection.iOSSafari) { var meta = document.createElement("meta"); meta.name = "apple-itunes-app"; meta.content = "app-id=835022598, app-argument=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/leclerc-optimistic-for-canadian-grand-prix-after-taking-p5-in-sprint-with-very-strong-pace.2N7xskJLUhiRQeyP7ZNP2d.2N7xskJLUhiRQeyP7ZNP2d"; document.head.appendChild(meta); } {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/leclerc-optimistic-for-canadian-grand-prix-after-taking-p5-in-sprint-with-very-strong-pace.2N7xskJLUhiRQeyP7ZNP2d","url":"https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/leclerc-optimistic-for-canadian-grand-prix-after-taking-p5-in-sprint-with-very-strong-pace.2N7xskJLUhiRQeyP7ZNP2d","mainEntityOfPage":"https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/leclerc-optimistic-for-canadian-grand-prix-after-taking-p5-in-sprint-with-very-strong-pace.2N7xskJLUhiRQeyP7ZNP2d","datePublished":"2026-05-23T18:21:57.030Z","dateModified":"2026-05-23T18:21:57.030Z","headline":"Charles Leclerc optimistic for Canadian Grand Prix after taking P5 in Sprint with ‘very strong’ pace ","author":"F1","description":"Charles Leclerc is feeling more positive about what might be possible for Ferrari in the Canadian Grand Prix due to his pace en route to P5 in Saturday's Sprint.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://media.formula1.com/image/upload/t_16by9North/f_auto/q_auto/v1779559241/fom-website/2026/Canada/16x9%20single%20image%20(4).png"},"isAccessibleForFree":"true","publisher":{"@type":"SportsOrganization","@id":"https://www.formula1.com#organization","name":"Formula 1","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://www.formula1.com/etc/designs/fom-website/social/f1-default-share.jpg","width":"480","height":"120"}}}Charles LeclercLewis HamiltonFerrariShow more tagsLeclerc optimistic for Canadian Grand Prix after taking P5 in Sprint with ‘very strong’ paceCharles Leclerc is feeling more positive about what might be possible for Ferrari in the Canadian Grand Prix due to his pace en route to P5 in Saturday's Sprint. Charles Leclerc has been given a renewed sense of optimism for Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix after experiencing “very strong” race pace in the Sprint, with the Monegasque crossing the line in fifth ahead of team mate Lewis Hamilton. Having admitted on Friday that he hadn’t “been at ease with the car” due to struggles with the brakes, Leclerc was running in a solid P6 for much of Saturday’s Sprint before overtaking the other Ferrari of Hamilton in the latter stages to move up one position. Quizzed after the event on whether it had been disappointing to not be able to make more progress, Leclerc answered: “I obviously wish, but unfortunately… Yesterday was a very difficult day on my side. “I’ve had some things that were a bit out of place on the brakes in general, and on a track like this where all the braking points are quite bumpy, brake confidence had cost me quite a bit. “And on top of that, Lewis is extremely strong on this track, so I’ve been a bit playing catch-up so far. However, in the race I felt like my race pace was very strong, so [with] this I’m optimistic for tomorrow even though it might rain.” Looking ahead to Qualifying later on Saturday, the 28-year-old admitted that his focus would be on the brake problems that he has been experiencing. “For Qualifying this afternoon, I’ll just hope to fix the brake confidence I’ve had struggles with this weekend,” he explained. “It was better in the Sprint race – I hope we do another step forward in Qualifying to be at least in the top three, and then we’ll see tomorrow.” Hamilton has looked in good form throughout the weekend so far in Montreal, but suffered a frustrating end to the Sprint when – after running in fourth – he lost two places. The Briton was also investigated after the 100km dash for allegedly leaving the track and gaining an advantage during a late fight with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, but no further action was taken. Hamilton summarised after the Sprint: “Piastri got alongside me into the last corner and basically overtook me, and through that I lost a position to Charles.” F1FacebookXInstagramYouTube© 2003-2026 Formula One World Championship Limited