Leclerc owns up: 'I deserve what happened today'

40

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc humbly owned up to the mistake that cost him a likely spot at the front of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix grid.

Leclerc appeared to sustain in qualifying the superiority he'd shown since the weekend got underway in Baku.

However, half-way into Q2, the Monegasque got a bit ahead of himself, carrying too much speed into the treacherous and tight Turn 8 corner and slamming the barriers on the outside.

Bottas beats Hamilton to Baku pole after Leclerc crashes

Leclerc needed no one to tell him it was a big blunder, immediately calling himself "stupid" on his team's radio.

"I deserve what happened today," told Sky's Natalie Pinkham. "I am very sad for what happened, but I deserve it.

"I've been stupid as I said on the radio, I've calmed down but I still think I've been stupid, this doesn't change.

"I will push to learn from this and come back stronger, and hopefully have a very good race tomorrow."

Leclerc felt that without the costly mishap, ^pole position was a big probability.

"I don't want to say anything stupid but I think that after looking at FP1, FP2 and FP3, also Q1, pole was possible today and I throw all the potential in the bin.

"So I'm very disappointed and I'll come back stronger from this."

Asked whether his lock-up had been the result of a lack of concentration, Leclerc said:

"Not really, I just tried to put a little more brake. Well actually I don't think I put more brakes, I just braked as I did on the softs but obviously I was on the medium and I locked up.

"Again, I don't want it to be misunderstood, there's no problem with the tyres, it's just myself."

Suggested that all was not lost on a track that offers overtaking opportunities, the 21-year-old vowed to give it his all on race day.

"You can definitely overtake and I'll push for that tomorrow, but for now I'll just be beating myself up!"

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.