“I was over the limit,” Charles Leclerc raises his hand after making costly error on final Q3 push lap

Charles Leclerc hit the gravel while pushing beyond the track limits during the closing stages of Q3.

“I was over the limit,” Charles Leclerc raises his hand after making costly error on final Q3 push lap

Charles Leclerc (via IMAGO)

The six-time Grand Prix winner, Charles Leclerc held himself accountable after a costly mistake during the final stages of the Austrian GP Q3 session. Leclerc will now start P6 on the grid for the main race on Sunday, which comes after a frustrating weekend run for the Monegasque.

Ferrari started qualifying on a strong note, charting good lap times in Q1 and Q2 while comfortably managing their tires and race pace. However, the closing stages of Q3 proved to be of a rushed nature for the Maranello-based outfit as Carlos Sainz managed to set a lap only good enough for P4, with Charles Leclerc failing to complete his final lap attempt after surpassing track limits on turn 6 of the Red Bull Ring.

YouTube video

Leclerc hit the gravel on his final push lap, which resulted in probable damage to the SF-24’s floor and put an end to an encouraging run by the Monegasque in Q3. The 25-year-old has since taken the blame for a poor performance in Q3, despite an encouraging afternoon for Ferrari.

FS Video
I think I went over the limit. Turn 1 and 3 was really good and I was faster than my previous lap, tried to brake later and then I locked up lost the two tenths. Pushed turn 6 and then lost the car. It was my mistake.
Charles Leclerc said post qualifying

The results after qualifying will not be a keen outcome for the ambitious Ferrari driver who has not been in good form ever since the historic win in Monaco earlier this season. However, the Maranello-based team has shown good signs of improvement around the Red Bull Ring which will be a pushing factor for the drivers to give it their all on Sunday in Spielberg.

Carlos Sainz speaks on Ferrari’s issues around high-speed corners

Carlos Sainz is set to start P4 on the grid for the race in Austria on Sunday after a much-improved spell for the Spaniard in qualifying. However, Sainz has elaborated on the issues faced with the SF-24 and spelled out the necessary disadvantages that come with it.

Carlos Sainz with Carlos Sainz Sr.
Carlos Sainz and Carlos Sainz Sr, via IMAGO
We went different ways with both cars, and we both had bouncing. There are some laps that it is there and there are laps that it's not. The team is pushing hard to bring a upgrade that can help us in the high speed corners in Silverstone.
Carlos Sainz said post qualifying in Austria

Sainz concluded that Ferrari’s SF-24 has faced major hindrances in its race pace and cornering ability because of a persistent issue with bouncing on the car around certain sections of the track. The 29-year-old hence said that an upgrade to resolve the issue is the only way to ensure good performances for the team.

Carlos Sainz won the Australian Grand Prix this season and has been a strong performer for the Maranello-based outfit. The talented 32-year-old will not try to maximize his results on Sunday in an attempt to reignite his form as it was during the start of the campaign.

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