Charles Leclerc, the Ferrari driver, expressed his disappointment and frustration after his crash into the barriers prematurely halted the qualifying session for the Miami Grand Prix. Leclerc’s mistake not only impacted his own chances of securing pole position but also affected the starting positions of all the drivers on the grid. The incident occurred at Turn 7 when Leclerc entered the corner with excessive speed, causing his car’s rear end to spin and collide with the barriers.
Leclerc, who was in contention for pole position, acknowledged the magnitude of his error, describing it as “unacceptable.” He expressed his disappointment with himself, highlighting that it was the same mistake he has made before in the same corner.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Leclerc admitted that while challenging weather conditions and a tricky car setup were contributing factors, he ultimately took responsibility for the situation. Despite being aware of the risks he often takes in Q3, which have paid off in the past, Leclerc acknowledged that this time he pushed too far, resulting in a costly mistake.
Expressing his disappointment and frustration, Leclerc acknowledged the need to move forward and focus on the race. Starting in P7, he anticipated challenging weather conditions and hoped for a clean race that would allow him to regain his form.
Responding to a question about whether he had put too much pressure on himself, Leclerc disagreed, emphasizing that his approach had proven successful in the past. However, he admitted that in this particular weekend, he had crossed the line and couldn’t hide his disappointment.
Considering the strong race pace demonstrated by Aston Martin, Leclerc acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding his team’s position but expressed that a podium finish would be a significant achievement, given their current race pace.
As the drivers prepare for the Miami Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc aims to put his qualifying disappointment behind him and focus on making a comeback in the race. With his sights set on a podium finish, he remains determined to overcome the challenges and capitalize on any opportunities that may arise during the race.