Autobayng News Team
A dejected Charles Leclerc said it must be hard for people to support him after he crashed out of qualifying in Spain.
Six days after his crash in the Monaco Grand Prix, Leclerc slid into a barrier at the start of Q3, meaning he will start tomorrow’s race from 10th on the grid.
“I’m okay, apart from feeling very ashamed of coming here to speak in front of the camera after another ‘what if’,” said Leclerc after qualifying. “Unfortunately, last week was the same with ‘what if we didn’t have that issue’, this weekend it’s ‘what if I didn’t do that mistake’.”
Ferrari have brought a significant upgrade to their car this weekend. Lewis Hamilton qualified his Ferrari on the front row of the grid, splitting the Mercedes, leaving Leclerc deeply disappointed over his missed opportunity.
“I just feel ashamed of not putting everything together on what was a very positive weekend so far,” he said. “The feeling is back and I’m still optimistic for tomorrow but I should be starting higher up and I don’t because of a mistake of mine.
“I feel ashamed and disappointed, I mean I feel ashamed for disappointing so many people that are supporting us and it must be tough to stick with me.”
Leclerc said his upgraded car felt strong around the lap but turn four, where he crashed, was a particular weakness.
“The Q2 lap was really good, I think all corners we were the strongest or nearly and turn four was the weak corner for me. So I released the brakes, I carried quite a lot more speed in, which was okay in mid-corner but I ended up on the dirtier part of the track and lost the car.
“But there’s no excuses, it’s a mistake.”
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
Miss nothing from RaceFans
Get a daily email with all our latest stories – and nothing else. No marketing, no ads. Sign up here:
2026 Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix
- Russell blames “copy-pasting” Antonelli’s approach for recent slump
- Hamilton needed a “huge leap” before claiming first front row at Ferrari
- Hadjar puzzled by Red Bull’s sudden gains: “I don’t know how we are 0.3s off pole”
- “Tiny” error behind Antonelli’s “no battery” radio messages on final lap – Wolff
- “It must be tough to stick with me”: Leclerc “ashamed and disappointed” after crash
Browse all 2026 Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix articles
Published by
Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 – when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring journalist, Keith began running the site full-time in 2010, achieving a long-held ambition to dedicate his full attention to his passion for motor racing. View all posts by Keith Collantine
