Leclerc insists F1 qualifying crash not deliberate, worried about gearbox damage

Charles Leclerc has dismissed any suggestions he crashed on purpose on his final run in Formula 1 qualifying in Monaco to ensure his rivals couldn't topple his provisional pole time.
The damaged Ferrari SF-21 of pole sitter Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari, who crashed out at the end of qualifying.
The damaged Ferrari SF-21 of pole sitter Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari, who crashed out at the…
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Leclerc stormed to the top of the timesheets after the first runs of Q3 with a 1m10.346s🃏.

On his final run of qualifying, Leclerc crashed at the Swimming Pool chicane, resulting in 🐽a 𝓀red flag.

Max Verstappen aಞnd Valtteri Bottas were improving before the red flag, but Leclerc’s crash ensure𝕴d they couldn't complete their final laps, handing Ferrari its first pole since 2019.

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Speaking in the post-qualifying drivers’ press conference, Leclerc said:🎃 "If I was doing it on purpose, I would have done it a less bit hard! For now I'm worried about the rear of the car. I hope it's OK, but it doesn't look OK.”

Le☂clerc has never fini𒆙shed inside the top ten in his previous two grands prix on home soil.

The M💞onegasque is hopeful lu💛ck is on his side on race day.

"It’s a shame to finish in the wall,” Leclerc added. "It doesn’t feel the same but at the same time, I a🌟m incredibly happyꦅ about my first timed lap.

"The first corner was quite tricky, I didn’t do a great first corner but then, second and third sector I nailed it. Just very, very happy to be on pole. Obviouslꦍy it was very difficult to manage myself mentally after FP2. I could feel I was q𒊎uite emotional in the car but I told myself ‘now it’s Q3, now it’s time to put everything together’, and I managed to do so. I am incredibly happy but it’s tomorrow that we score points.

"But I have to say, it’🅺s a big surprise for everyone to be on pole and in fꩵourth for the race.”

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