Charles Leclerc crashed at the start of Q3 in qualifying for the Formula 1 Barcelona Grand Prix, ending up 10th on the grid. The Ferrari driver described feeling ashamed after losing control at Turn 4.
Leclerc spun into the barrier on his first push lap after drifting onto a dustier line. He said the car felt strong throughout the weekend and ruled out brake issues as a factor.
“I felt very ashamed after the last three weekends that have been particularly difficult for me to find pace for issues I had,” Leclerc told reporters. “Today, and this weekend, I think everything felt really, really good and on these days I need to deliver and I didn't.”
The result leaves him behind teammate Lewis Hamilton, who qualified second. Leclerc added that he now views the race as an opportunity for damage limitation and expressed optimism about the car's pace.
“I released the brakes earlier. I think we were close to being the fastest car every corner apart from Turn 4,” he said. “I just need to do the perfect race.”