'My best qualifying lap this year' – Ferrari's Leclerc optimistic after Dutch GP Sprint Qualifying performance

Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton have reflected on their different Sprint Qualifying performances of the Dutch Grand Prix weekend, with the former describing it as "my best Qualifying lap this year".

Leclerc will start third for Saturday's 24-lap Sprint, as just 0.055s covered himself, polesitter George Russell and Lando Norris in second.

The Monegasque driver was pleased with his performance as Formula 1 returned from its summer break, especially after only one hour of practice earlier in the day on Friday.

"I will have preferred to start first but at the end of the day, I'm very happy about today because honestly, I think it's my best Qualifying lap this year," said Leclerc.

"That means we are doing something right also with the feeling. Doesn't mean it stays there forever, but at least it's good steps in the right direction and especially after such a long break, you kind of want that feeling to start the second half.

"It was a good effort, unfortunately we just missed pole but at least we are more or less in the mix."

Ferrari team mate Hamilton enters this weekend second in the drivers' standings and Kimi Antonelli's closest challenger, the seven-time World Champion 50 points behind heading into the second half of the season.

But the Briton was disappointed with his performance in Sprint Qualifying, as a small change from practice meant Hamilton could only finish P7, more than six tenths behind Russell.

"Not a good session unfortunately. This is the way it is," he said.

"FP1 felt good, we made subtle adjustments to the car then we got into Qualifying and it was a completely different car. Need to figure out what went wrong and then we'll do our best tomorrow."