'Optimistic for tomorrow' – Ferrari's Hamilton and Leclerc share Belgian Grand Prix targets

Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton believe they can challenge for podium finishes in the Belgian Grand Prix, with the Ferrari duo set to start from P4 and P5.

Having taken victory last time out in the British Grand Prix, Leclerc was hopeful of challenging towards the front in Qualifying on Saturday, with Silverstone and Spa sharing similar circuit characteristics.

But the Monegasque driver had to lift off due to a yellow flag into the final chicane on his last effort, meaning he could only qualify P5, which becomes fourth after Lando Norris' grid penalty.

"It is the way it is, I lifted off and I probably lost a bit of lap time there," said Leclerc, who finished half a second behind polesitter, Kimi Antonelli.

When asked if he could challenge for the podium in Sunday's race, Leclerc added: "It's going to be tricky.

"I think our power unit, we know what we have a slight disadvantage on a track like this and we'll have to try and maximise everything and hopefully a podium is possible."

Hamilton finished directly behind his team mate, with the seven-time World Champion's mechanics racing against time to repair his Ferrari after a crash at the very end of Free Practice 3.

Hamilton lost the rear through Turn 13 before skating through the gravel and glancing the barrier, which caused significant damage to the right hand side of his Ferrari.

"Massively grateful to the team. The guys were stretched to make sure they got the car ready," said Hamilton after Qualifying.

"The car was feeling the best it felt all weekend in FP3, then unfortunately I had to go and damage it.

"It wasn’t the same car when I got back out; unfortunately not identical in terms of balance. But I got the best I could out of what I had.

"Still optimistic for tomorrow. I think there’s a chance, there’s all sorts of chances tomorrow to try and see if we can get on the podium. That’d be awesome."