Leclerc Admits Feeling 'Very Ashamed' After Qualifying Crash in Barcelona

Charles Leclerc's day at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya took a turn for the worse during Qualifying, leaving him feeling rather sheepish. The Ferrari driver, having demonstrated commendable speed earlier in the session, found himself embedded in the barrier during the final stage of Qualifying.

The incident occurred on his first flying lap in Q3. Leclerc experienced a snap of oversteer at Turn 4, which pitched him into the gravel and then the barrier. The crash brought out the red flags and relegated him to a starting position of tenth for Sunday's race.

Reflecting on the mishap, Leclerc offered no excuses. "The Q2 lap was really good," he noted, "but Turn 4 was tricky for me. I released the brakes, carried more speed, but ended up on the dirtier part of the track and lost the car. There's no excuses, it's a mistake."

Leclerc had reason to be optimistic beforehand, having clocked the second-fastest time in Q2—just a whisker behind pole-sitter George Russell. His teammate, Lewis Hamilton, secured the second spot on the grid, reinforcing what might have been for Leclerc.

"It's frustrating to be here again, talking about another 'what if'," Leclerc lamented. "Last week it was about Monaco, and now it's this mistake. It's disappointing not to put everything together when the weekend was going so well."

Despite his self-criticism, Leclerc remains hopeful for race day, though he can't help but feel he's let down his supporters. "I feel ashamed for disappointing so many people that are supporting us. Sticking with me must be tough," he admitted.

While Leclerc's weekend hasn't gone to plan, he hopes to make amends in the race, even if the starting point isn't where he'd planned to be.