Charles Leclerc crashes in Barcelona qualifying, triggers team fallout

Charles Leclerc hit the barriers in Q3 of the Barcelona‑Catalunya Grand Prix after attempting a faster entry into Turn 4. The crash forced a red‑flag, left him starting the race from tenth on the grid and later forced him to retire when a steering‑assist failure knocked out his gearbox and brakes. Leclerc described his disappointment as “ashamed”, blaming a two‑stop strategy choice and a brief loss of confidence. Ferrari’s upgraded SF‑26 showed promise, with Hamilton qualifying second and later winning the race, but the team’s internal dynamics were strained as fans split over Leclerc’s performance. Hamilton suggested Leclerc’s brake configuration may have been a factor, while team members highlighted tyre degradation and strategy variations for the weekend. Leclerc remains optimistic about the car’s potential and aims to improve in upcoming races.