Charles Leclerc sighs ‘for f**k’s sake’ after Q3 Zandvoort crash

Sam Cooper
Ferrari F1 driver Charles Leclerc, Belgian GP, Spa-Francorchamps.

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari driver, pictured during the F1 race weekend at Spa-Francorchamps.

Charles Leclerc will start the Dutch Grand Prix in ninth place after a costly crash saw him exit Q3.

Just moments after cars had got back on track following Logan Sargeant’s earlier collision, the red flag was out once again with Leclerc crashing into the barrier at Turn 9.

The Ferrari man appeared to be in control of the SF-23 on entry to the corner but then slid onto the grass.

A lack of grip on the wet grass left him powerless as he slid into the barrier, damaging the left side of his car.

After his crash, which will see him start ninth, Leclerc came over the Ferrari team radio, sighing “for f**k’s sake.”

It had been an uncomfortable day throughout for Leclerc who twice came close to hitting the barrier on the runoff of Turn 1 during FP3 with the slippery conditions proving a challenge.

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Despite the rain easing up, allowing drivers to switch to the slicks by the time Q3 came around, off line it was still treacherous conditions should any driver venture onto that part of the track.

Sargeant showed earlier how dangerous it could be, his crash going into Turn 3 causing a lengthy delay as the barrier was repaired, but it was further into the lap that Leclerc had his incident.

It was a poor day all round for Ferrari with Leclerc’s team-mate Carlos Sainz qualifying in sixth.

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