Leclerc: Failure to start Monaco GP 'a difficult one to take'

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A gutted Charles Leclerc said his failure to start Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix from pole after suffering a driveshaft issue was "a difficult one to take".

The Ferrari driver radioed in to his crew on his lap to the grid to signal a gearbox issue, after which the Scuderia brought its driver back to the team's garage.

Unfortunately, a preliminary investigation into the problem revealed a rear left driveshaft issue that was not reparable in time for Leclerc to start the race, even from the pitlane.

"In the garage, it was very, very difficult to feel OK," Leclerc told the media shortly after his withdrawal and the start of the race.

"But yeah, I guess now I'm getting used to this feeling here [in Monaco], unfortunately. I've never finished a race here. This year I don't start it, starting from pole.

"It's a difficult one to take. But I also feel for the team to be honest, the mechanics have done such a hard job yesterday to try and check everything.

"The mechanics were finally a bit happy this morning to see that everything seems fine, and all of the parts were fine. And then this happened. It's a shame for everyone."

Read also: Heartbreak for Leclerc as driveshaft issue forces Monaco GP withdrawal!

Monaco has been anything but a happy hunting ground for Leclerc in the past, having failed to see the checkered flag on his two previous Grands Prix in the Principality.

The disappointed local hero says his team had yet to determine the cause of the driveshaft failure on his SF21 and whether the issue was related to his crash at the end of qualifying on Saturday.

"I wouldn't speak too much, because for now I am not aware of everything," Leclerc said.

"But what I know is apparently it's not coming from the gearbox, and it's more coming from the rear left of the car.

"Whether it's correlated with the crash or not, this we'll have to see with the investigations after the race. But it's still early days to speak, I guess."

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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.