Leclerc 'ashamed' after crashing again in Barcelona qualifying

Charles Leclerc admitted to feeling "ashamed" after crashing his Ferrari for the second weekend in a row during qualifying for the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. The incident leaves the 28-year-old Formula One driver starting Sunday's race from 10th position.

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I just feel very much ashamed to be here after a crash like that. What did I do? I released the brakes earlier and I tried to carry speed. I think on the previous lap, we were close to being the fastest car on every corner apart from turn four. I knew I had to make everything perfect for that lap and I tried, but I obviously regret it.

Last weekend at his home Monaco Grand Prix, Leclerc also hit the wall in qualifying and subsequently crashed during the race. "I just feel very much ashamed to be here after a crash like that," he told Sky Sports television. "What did I do? I released the brakes earlier and I tried to carry speed. I think on the previous lap, we were close to being the fastest car on every corner apart from turn four. I knew I had to make everything perfect for that lap and I tried, but I obviously regret it."

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The feeling with the car was amazing and I didn't deliver. If anything, it's a lot worse than that; I put it into the wall. So there's no excuses. I just felt ashamed.

Leclerc dismissed suggestions that changing his brake discs to the same brand as teammate Lewis Hamilton contributed to the crash. "The feeling with the car was amazing and I didn't deliver. If anything, it's a lot worse than that; I put it into the wall," he stated, accepting full responsibility. "So there's no excuses. I just felt ashamed."

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The only positive I can take is that the feeling that I have in the car is back and tomorrow I feel optimistic that we can have a good race.

Despite the qualifying mishap, Leclerc found a positive note, expressing optimism for the race. "The only positive I can take is that the feeling that I have in the car is back and tomorrow I feel optimistic that we can have a good race." Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton secured a front-row start, his first since joining Ferrari, expressing gratitude for the team's efforts and highlighting the improved pace of the Mercedes car. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli qualified third.

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This is the closest we’ve been pace-wise, I think, in quali. I’m so grateful to the guys back in the team... I really want them to know how thankful I am, because it felt great out there to put a lap together and see that we’re that close, this early.