Charles Leclerc Crashes on Warm-Up Lap After Another Ferrari Mechanical Failure

Leclerc Loses Hydraulics, Crashes on Warm-Up LapDOUGLAS MAGNO - Getty Images

Charles Leclerc has crashed out of Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos after his Ferrari suffered an apparent sudden hydraulic failure on the warm-up lap. The Monegasque driver had qualified on the front row for the race, leaving an open spot at the very front of the grid on the initial standing start.

Leclerc was warming up his tires on his way out of the pit lane when he suddenly lost control, careening into the outside barriers of a corner hard enough to destroy his front wing and leave the car incapable of driving back to the pit lane. Leclerc then noted a hydraulic failure that would have cost him power steering in the corner, saying simply "No, I lost the hydraulics... Why the **** am I so unlucky?"

While "unlucky" may be the wrong word, Leclerc has had more than his share of misfortunes recently. Despite collecting 22 poles in his short career, Leclerc has just five wins in his five years at Ferrari. An expected retirement today will be his seventh since the start of the 2022 season, making 2023 his third season with four or more retirements in just six years in Formula 1.

The crash left Max Verstappen alone on the front row for the race start, but a crash before turn 1 involving four cars brought out a red flag that will force another standing start. The red flag standing start will go off current running order, so Verstappen will not have the luxury of a row to himself when the race resumes.

You Might Also Like

• You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox

• Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners

• The Man Who Signs Every Car