Charles Leclerc’s hopes for a strong starting position in the Dutch Grand Prix were dashed as he crashed during Q3, resulting in a ninth-place grid position for the Ferrari driver. The incident occurred shortly after cars had returned to the track following Logan Sargeant’s earlier collision, prompting another red flag.
Leclerc’s crash took place at Turn 9, where he appeared to have control of his SF-23 car upon entry. However, as he attempted to navigate the corner, he slid onto the wet grass. The lack of grip on the slippery surface left him unable to regain control, ultimately leading to contact with the barrier and damage to the left side of his car.
After the crash, which relegated him to a ninth-place starting position, Leclerc could be heard over the Ferrari team radio expressing his frustration with a sigh and expletive: “for f**k’s sake.”
The day had been challenging for Leclerc from the beginning, with the slippery conditions causing him to come close to hitting the barrier on the runoff of Turn 1 during FP3. Despite the rain easing up and allowing drivers to switch to slick tires by Q3, off-line portions of the track remained treacherous.
Sargeant’s earlier crash at Turn 3 had demonstrated the hazards of venturing onto less optimal parts of the track. The extensive repairs required for the barriers led to a delay in the session. Leclerc’s incident, however, occurred later in the lap at Turn 9, compounding Ferrari’s difficulties on the day.
Leclerc’s teammate, Carlos Sainz, fared slightly better by qualifying in sixth place, but overall, it was a challenging day for the Scuderia Ferrari team.
