Charles Leclerc Points to Brake Issues as Ferrari's Weakness in Canada Sprint Qualifying

Charles Leclerc has pinpointed a lack of confidence on the brakes as the key reason for his struggles in Canadian GP Sprint Qualifying, where he will start sixth. The Monegasque was again out-qualified by teammate Lewis Hamilton, who looked more comfortable all weekend and secured a third-row lockout for Ferrari on a track it wasn't expected to excel at.

Why it matters:

Leclerc's brake issues expose a weakness in Ferrari's SF-26 that could cost valuable points in a tight midfield. With four heavy braking zones at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, driver confidence under braking is critical — and Leclerc admits he is entering corners hoping not to go straight.

The details:

• Leclerc explained he has struggled with brake feel "on my side of the garage for some reason" since Friday.
• Despite the SF-26's known top-speed deficit due to its small turbo, the brakes are his main concern.
• The team has a "quite good idea" of the problem but is unsure whether a fix is available before Saturday's Sprint.
• Hamilton has been "incredibly quick" this weekend, highlighting the performance gap within the team.

What's next:

Ferrari will investigate the brake issue overnight, aiming to give Leclerc the confidence to attack the Sprint and main qualifying. A solution could level the playing field for the rest of the weekend, but any lingering uncertainty risks a long and frustrating race.