Charles Leclerc faced a frustrating setback during qualifying at the Formula 1® Barcelona Grand Prix after crashing at Turn 4 in the final session. The incident forced him to start Sunday’s race from 10th on the grid, marking another challenge in a difficult run of form for the Ferrari driver.
The crash occurred on Leclerc’s first flying lap of Q3 when he drifted onto a dustier part of the track at Turn 4, causing the rear of his car to lose grip and spin into the barrier. This mishap came after a series of disappointing results, including a crash from third place at Monaco the previous weekend and a podium drought stretching back to March. Leclerc described feeling “ashamed” of himself following the qualifying incident.
Despite the crash, Leclerc denied that brake issues played a role. He had switched to a brake setup similar to that of Lewis Hamilton after the Monaco crash but said the problem was more about his own driving. He admitted to trying to over-correct a known weakness at Turn 4 by releasing the brakes earlier than usual, which ultimately led to the loss of control.
Leclerc acknowledged that the car felt very good throughout the weekend, which gave him optimism for the race despite the setback in qualifying. However, he also recognised that starting from 10th means he will need to deliver a flawless performance if he wants to recover positions on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton secured second place in qualifying, extending his points lead over Leclerc following recent podium finishes. The contrasting fortunes between the two drivers highlight the fine margins that continue to shape the championship battle.
Leclerc’s admission of shame and the details he provided about the crash underline the pressures faced by drivers at this level, where even small errors can have significant consequences. His focus now turns to making the most of the race weekend and trying to turn around a challenging phase in his season.
