Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc lost a grid position during qualifying for the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix after a yellow flag was displayed incorrectly at Spa-Francorchamps.
In the final moments of the session, Leclerc was ahead of his previous lap time when he encountered the flag near the pit entry. The flag had been waved for Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar parking in the pit lane for parc fermé, but its position made it visible on the track.
Leclerc lifted slightly in response and crossed the line 0.030 seconds slower than before. The error cost him about one tenth of a second and dropped him behind George Russell.
"I'm a bit disappointed for that last lap because there was a yellow flag that was supposed to be for the pit entry, but that was too visible, in my opinion, being on track," Leclerc told Sky. Team principal Fred Vasseur confirmed the marshal's action at pit entry forced the lift.
Leclerc finished 0.532 seconds behind polesitter Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes, with teammate Lewis Hamilton 0.002 seconds behind him.
