Charles Leclerc Follows in Carlos Sainz’s Footsteps to Express Disappointment as Ferrari Lets Him Down Again

The Brazilian GP was supposed to be a race where Ferrari made an impact on Red Bull’s dominance. After all, they had a front-row start sealed during Friday’s qualifying. Although, in a scene all too familiar for fans of the Prancing Horse, Charles Leclerc experienced a gut-wrenching setback, echoing the sentiment previously shared by his teammate, Carlos Sainz, on social media following a challenging qualifying session.

Leclerc took to Instagram shortly after a calamitous pre-race incident, expressing his disappointment with a concise yet poignant message.

Charles Leclerc’s DNS at the Brazilian GP

The incident, which Leclerc attributed to a sudden loss of hydraulics, led to a premature retirement and a walk back to the paddock that was both physical and metaphorical. While initial speculations were rife about the hydraulics being the culprit, Leclerc, upon his return, hinted at a more complex issue at play. The Monegasque driver posted, “Disappointed to say the least. Lost the power steering and the engine power on the formation lap. It hurts because today was a great opportunity for us.”

This latest incident raises questions about Ferrari’s reliability, a topic that has haunted the storied team and its drivers in recent times. As the dust settles, both the team and its loyal followers are left to ponder the implications of another lost opportunity in the relentless pursuit of racing excellence. The unfolding season will undoubtedly be a litmus test for the Maranello squad’s resilience and ability to bounce back from adversity.

The Monegasque driver set to commence from an enviable second-place start, found himself in a harrowing predicament, colliding into the barriers during the formation lap—which surely requires a thorough look at the incident.

Read More: “We Made a Small Mistake”: Fred Vasseur Contradicts Charles Leclerc to Echo Carlos Sainz’s Post-Brazil Sprint Remarks

Charles Leclerc’s mechanical woe, in his own words

In his statement to the press, he said, “When I lost the steering wheel and I went straight, basically. I had no hydraulics anymore. I don’t think it’s a hydraulics problem. I know what it is.” Leclerc’s crash sent shockwaves through the grid, especially considering the driver’s strong position to challenge the race’s frontrunner, Max Verstappen.

“I cannot go too much into detail. There was an engine thing that made me lock the rear wheels, then I spun and hit the wall. I couldn’t do anything,” Leclerc explained, painting a picture of a driver at the mercy of his machinery. He also emphasized that his issue was “completely different” from the complications his teammate Carlos Sainz had encountered in the past.

Leclerc’s assurance in his car setup, reflective of his individual comfort with his Ferrari, contrasts with the troubles on the other side of the garage. “I was happy with my car,” he stated a sentiment of confidence that will be critical as he and the team look to rebound from this setback.

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As the Ferrari crew delve into the heart of the issue, one thing remains clear: the path to victory is never without its bumps—or in this unfortunate case for Charles Leclerc, its crashes. With the championship battles heating up and the stakes higher than ever, resilience and a short memory for mishaps like these will be key for Leclerc as he sets his sights on future races.