Charles Leclerc described himself as feeling “very ashamed” following his Barcelona Grand Prix qualifying crash, which left the Ferrari man starting from 10th on the grid for Sunday’s Spanish race. The Monégasque driver lost control at Turn 4 during his first Q3 flying lap, snapping right before over-correcting left and burying the car in the barriers — a painful blow after what had been a genuinely promising weekend up to that point.
Barcelona Grand Prix Qualifying Crash: Leclerc Takes Full Blame
Crucially, Leclerc was quick to rule out any connection to the brake changes he made ahead of this weekend. Following his Monaco Grand Prix retirement last Sunday, he switched from Brembo to Carbon Industrie brake disc material — mirroring a move his teammate Lewis Hamilton made back at the Japanese Grand Prix earlier this season, a change the seven-time world champion credits for his recent upturn in form.
However, Leclerc insisted the new setup had felt immediately natural and was not a factor at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. “I adapted very well straight from practice,” he told reporters. “There’s nothing wrong, there’s no excuses on trying to find the reference or whatsoever.” Instead, he pinned Saturday’s accident entirely on himself — he attempted to carry more speed into Turn 4, lost the rear under traction on the outside of the circuit, and paid the price.
“After the last three weekends that have been particularly difficult for me,” Leclerc added, “this weekend everything felt really, really good. I needed to deliver, and I didn’t.” Raw honesty, and the kind that stings. Full qualifying results and championship standings are available on BBC Sport.
Hamilton Holds Ferrari’s Best Hope of Ending Mercedes’ Winning Run
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton delivered exactly when it mattered. The Briton qualified second, splitting the two Mercedes cars on the front two rows and giving Ferrari genuine hope of breaking their winless streak. The Scuderia has not tasted victory since Carlos Sainz triumphed at the Mexico City Grand Prix in October 2024 — a week after Leclerc’s own win at the United States Grand Prix in Austin.
Hamilton explained that he had been braking exceptionally late into Turn 4 throughout qualifying, and believes Leclerc attempted to match that approach. “He’s been quick all weekend,” Hamilton said. “Unfortunately it didn’t work out for him. But he’s still going to be really quick in the race.” The reigning champion also highlighted just how knife-edge these tyres are to manage — overpush in the opening corners and you bleed performance through the rest of the lap. “It’s the finest line I can remember there ever being,” he said.
Ultimately, Leclerc will need to scythe through the field from 10th, while Ferrari bank on Hamilton to finally end Mercedes’ clean sweep of victories this season. The Spanish Grand Prix could not come at a bigger moment for the Prancing Horse. Full weekend details are on the official Formula 1 website.