LECLERC MISUNDERSTANDS PIT LANE YELLOW FLAG DURING Q3
Charles Leclerc lost the opportunity to improve his final qualifying lap at Spa-Francorchamps after reacting to a yellow flag that, according to the FIA regulations, did not apply to the circuit.
During the final moments of Q3, Max Verstappen received a strong slipstream from Red Bull teammate Isack Hadjar, helping the Dutchman secure second place on the grid behind pole-sitter Kimi Antonelli. After completing his final run, Hadjar returned to the pit lane.
However, FIA officials instructed the Red Bull driver to stop before the pit lane speed limiter line so the car could be directed to parc fermé. Because Hadjar was stationary in an area where other cars could pass, a marshal displayed a yellow flag inside the pit lane as a safety precaution.
Leclerc, who was completing his final flying lap and trying to improve his fifth-place qualifying position, believed the yellow flag also applied to the track and decided to back off, losing the chance to set a better time.
Speaking after qualifying, the Ferrari driver explained his frustration: “I was p*ssed off because there was a yellow in the middle of the pit entrance.” Leclerc added: “I thought it was meant for me, so I backed off at the end.”
The situation created confusion, but the FIA regulations make a clear distinction between signals displayed in the pit lane and those shown on the racing circuit. A yellow flag inside the pit lane does not affect drivers who are completing laps on track.
Lewis Hamilton, who was also on a final attempt, did not react to the yellow flag and continued his lap normally, confirming that the signal was only related to the pit lane situation.
In the end, Leclerc’s decision was caused by a misunderstanding rather than an FIA mistake. The Ferrari driver kept fifth place on the grid, but the incident added frustration, as Leclerc believed he could have challenged for a stronger result.
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