Daniel Ricciardo says he needs a fast start to the French Grand Prix if he wants to climb the grid and score much-needed points.

The Australian will start ninth in Sunday's race as he looks to finish in the top 10 for the fourth time this year.

Ricciardo was 11th quickest during Saturday's qualifying session but will start higher up the order after Ferrari's Carlos Sainz and Haas's Kevin Magnussen take their grid penalties for using new engines.

Ricciardo narrowly missed out on qualifying in the top 10 outright, being knocked out in Q2 by eight-hundredths of a second.

"It was close but there are several corners where I'm offline and not really able to get [the car] doing what I want it to do," he said.

"So, for sure, frustrated, especially when we're close.

His McLaren teammate Lando Norris was one of the stars of Saturday's qualifying, securing a well-earned fifth.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc sizzled in the high temperatures at Le Castellet to take pole position from Red Bull's championship leader Max Verstappen.

Leclerc was assisted by his teammate Sainz, who did not set a lap in Q3 knowing he would take a grid penalty.

Sainz provided a tow for Leclerc to build speed and secure pole.

"It was a good qualifying with great teamwork behind it," Leclerc said.

"Our competitors are extremely strong here.

"It seems that they have an advantage in terms of race pace, but I'm confident we can turn it around and hopefully we will keep that first place."