Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has admitted he is feeling ‘very ashamed’ after another crash that saw him suffer an early end to qualifying for the Barcelona Grand Prix.
The 28-year-old has had a week to forget after suffering the same fate in his home race in Monaco last weekend, as he fell victim to raised tarmac that resulted in a red flag during the race.
He was hoping to bounce back in Barcelona this weekend, and eased into the third round of qualifying – but then things went south.
On his first lap of Q3, Leclerc suffered from oversteer and failed to correct the maneuver, resulting in a skid into the gravel and contact with the barrier.
He walked away unharmed, but will have to start from 10th on the grid and is already up against it in his bid to secure a solid finish.
A downbeat Leclerc spoke after qualifying, saying: ‘Q2 lap was really good, I think all corners we were the strongest nearly.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc said he is ‘feeling ashamed’ after crashing during Barcelona qualifying on Saturday
The star crashed out of the race in Monaco last weekend and suffered the same fate in Barcelona qualifying
‘Turn 4 was the weak corner for me so I released the brakes and I think I carried quite a lot more speed in, which was okay mid-corner but I ended up on the dirtier part of the track and lost the car. There’s no excuses, it’s a mistake.’
‘Feeling very ashamed of coming here to speak in front of the camera after another “what if”. Unfortunately last week was the same with what if we didn’t have that issue. This weekend is what if I didn’t do that mistake.
‘I just feel ashamed of not putting everything together on what was a very positive weekend so far. The feeling is back and still optimistic for tomorrow but I should be starting higher up and I don’t because of a mistake of mine.
‘I feel ashamed for disappointing so many people that are supporting us. [It] must be tough to stick with me.’
Leclerc’s team-mate Lewis Hamilton continued his impressive run of form to qualify second as he pushes for an unlikely eighth driver’s championship.
The Brit, who was joined by partner Kim Kardashian in Monaco last weekend, is second in the title race but 66 points behind runaway leader Kimi Antonelli.
Mercedes star Antonelli, 19, who has won the last five races, will start second, with his team-mate George Russell starting in pole position.
