Charles Leclerc expressed confidence that he and Sauber can retain its strong position in race trim at the Russian Grand Prix.
Leclerc comfortably made it through Q1 and was one of only 10 drivers to clock a time in Q2, as several opponents opted not to run due to penalties and wanting free tyre choice.
Leclerc, fifth in Q2, ultimately wound up seventh, just 0.006s behind Force India’s Esteban Ocon, with both having been overhauled by Haas’ Kevin Magnussen during the final Q3 runs.
Leclerc struggled through Friday’s pair of practice sessions on his first visit to the Sochi Autodrom but revelled in his Saturday display as he eyes back-to-back points finishes.
“I’m extremely happy with it,” said Leclerc. “To be honest I’m very happy with my lap, when you see six thousandths in between Esteban and myself we probably could have improved something but he probably could have also.
“I’m very happy with seventh which I think is the best starting position for me this year which is quite nice, and especially considering the Friday I had.
“We struggled a lot with the set-ups in FP1, me myself with driving in FP2, so to work from there and improve that much for qualifying is something I was working into and I’m really happy to see the results.”
Renault pair Carlos Sainz Jr. and Nico Hulkenberg will have free choice of tyres from 11th and 12th respectively on the grid, while Red Bull duo Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo will start from the rear of the pack due to engine penalties.
But Leclerc is hopeful that Sauber can stay ahead through the course of the race.
See the midfield battle, confident of holding position?
“Yeah there are some quick cars that are starting [behind us], if they can overtake then it will be difficult to keep them behind, Red bull for example,” he said.
“It will be interesting to see what Renault will do, they will start on a different strategy for sure, seeing what they did today.
“It’s going to be an interesting race, [but] I don’t see why we couldn’t keep this position.”
Sauber team-mate Marcus Ericsson will round out the fifth row of the grid after making his first Q3 appearance since 2015.
“I think we have a nicely-balanced car,” said Ericsson.
“It seems to work in the medium-speed corners, like the middle sector around here.
“We have a nice car to drive, it gives confidence to me and Charles. It's what we need.”
