Charles Leclerc admits mistake after crash on grid lap

It's an unenviable moment for any driver: going off track before the race even starts is a difficult ordeal that some face during their career. Lance stroll had missed the formation lap of the Brazilian Grand Prix last November, then Isack Hadjar made a similar blunder during his first GP in Australia two months ago.

The Frenchman and the Canadian were trapped by a wet track, extreme conditions which do not forgive the slightest error. Charles Leclerc had the painful experience in Miami, but the pilot Ferrari did not even have time to start the formation lap, going off on the grid lap.

ALSO READ > VIDEO – Charles Leclerc hits the wall during the grid lap

The Monegasque lost control of his SF-25 at the moment when the amount of water on the track was greatest. On a straight – which isn't so straight – of the street circuit, Leclerc aquaplaned into the wall, which broke his suspension and punctured his tire. The No. 16 Ferrari, which added the blue and white of its sponsor HP to its red history this weekend, was running on intermediate tires, while its rivals navigated, as the conditions permitted, the maximum amount of rain.

Shared responsibilities between Ferrari and Leclerc? 

The dubious choice of the Prancing Horse wall was immediately pointed out by Lewis Hamilton, when he saw his neighbor in the garage stranded on the side of the road: "I don't know how you managed to get us out with intermediate tires," the future third-place finisher in the race grumbled on the radio.

Despite his team's questionable decision, Charles Leclerc takes responsibility for an accident he should have avoided: " It's very frustrating, but I only have myself to blame. It's pretty clear that the choice to start on intermediate tires in these conditions wasn't the best, but that's no excuse," ensures number 16 on Canal+.

"Also, the way I lost the car is quite sad because I was on a straight, not even flat out, and I was just waiting to get to the next corner. Unfortunately, I couldn't do anything and I completely lost control of the car. I tried to turn and brake, but nothing happened." says Leclerc. "It hurts, but I can't stay stuck in this disappointment for long. Qualifying is coming up fast and I hope I'll be there if we have enough time to repair the car. If that's the case, it will be a good opportunity to get back on the right foot after a weekend that started badly."

Qualifying 6th for the sprint race, Charles Leclerc was very disappointed with the performance of his car on Friday evening, but his teammate Lewis Hamilton proved to him, thanks to a bold and successful strategy from Ferrari, that his car could reach the podium - at least in the rain... If the sky calms its anger on Sunday, the story will be very different.