F1 LIVE: French Grand Prix build-up as Charles Leclerc starts on pole for Lewis Hamilton’s 300th race

Max Verstappen was quickest in final practice but could not match Charles Leclerc’s speed in qualifying.

“Third practice is clearly not qualifying, but overall we were lacking general grip,” he said.

“It was trickier than I hoped but overall we have a decent race car. We will be quick on the straights, so hopefully we can use that tomorrow.”

Lewis Hamilton will start his 300th Formula One race from fourth on the grid.

Hamilton’s Mercedes team harboured high hopes for the 12th round of the campaign here in the scorching south of France heat.

A new floor, coupled with the smooth Circuit Paul Ricard asphalt, even led some within Mercedes to believe Hamilton could end both his, and the team’s, barren run by securing his 104th triumph in his landmark race.

But the Silver Arrows have lost further ground to Ferrari and Red Bull with Hamilton nine tenths adrift. George Russell was 1.2 sec slower than Leclerc.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, who was joined by Dieter Zetsche – the former chairman of Mercedes’ parent company Daimler – at the back of the team’s garage, cut a largely disconsolate figure.

Wolff has overseen Mercedes’ record-breaking run of eight consecutive constructors’ championships – but as the sport approaches its traditional summer break, the once all-conquering team are no closer to unlocking the speed to allow them to compete with Ferrari and Red Bull.

Ferrari have won the last two races, Sainz in Britain and Leclerc in Austria, but Ferrari’s bid to win their first title since 2008 has been damaged by unreliability and engine failures.

There has been talk of tension in the team, particularly after Leclerc lost out to Sainz at Silverstone on strategy.

Sainz said Saturday’s qualifying showed Ferrari were working well together.

“I’m happy that Charles got the pole position, that we are up there as a team,” he said.

“I think we received a lot of criticism this year for the strategy and today just showed we are a very solid team and we get on very well, there’s a very good atmosphere and we are willing to help each other as much as possible.”

Carlos Sainz backed Charles Leclerc to win today’s race despite having both Red Bull drivers right behind on the starting grid.

The Spaniard can be of no help during the race as he starts from the back due to engine penalties.

“He will have to fight on his own tomorrow against (championship leader) Max (Verstappen) but I believe he can do it,” Sainz told Sky Sports.

“I think this car in every race we go to is very quick. It’s all about nailing the start and nailing the strategy, which I’m sure the team will do well.”

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc received a boost from teammate Carlos Sainz that helped him beat Red Bull’s championship leader Max Verstappen to pole position.

Spaniard Sainz, who already knew he would be starting at the back on Sunday due to engine penalties, ‘towed’ Leclerc in his slipstream at Le Castellet’s smooth-surfaced Circuit Paul Ricard.

The extra speed made a difference.

“It was a great lap. I’ve struggled all weekend to put a lap together and I managed to put it,” said Leclerc, who is second overall but 38 points adrift of Verstappen in the standings after 11 of 22 races.

“I also had the help of Carlos and that was amazing teamwork, because without Carlos it would have been much more close,” added the Monegasque.

“So huge thanks to Carlos and I hope that he can join us back in the fight for the win tomorrow.”

Follow live coverage of the French Grand Prix where Charles Leclerc starts on pole position ahead of title rival Max Verstappen.

Leclerc – who breathed fresh life into his championship bid with a comprehensive victory at the last round in Austria a fortnight ago – capitalised on a tow from Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz in qualifying to beat championship leader Verstappen and take pole for the race with Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez third.

Lewis Hamilton, starting his 300th Formula One race, is fourth on the grid.

McLaren have brought more upgrades to France than at any other stage of the season, and Lando Norris split the Mercedes drivers to qualify fifth, one place ahead of George Russell.

Fernando Alonso starts seventh in his Alpine, three places ahead of teammate Esteban Ocon, with Yuki Tsunoda of AlphaTauri and Daniel Ricciardo’s McLaren between them.