Leclerc after Baku qualifying crash: 'I've been useless'

Charles Leclerc has apologised to his fans after crashing out of qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Saturday, saying he has "been useless".

Ferrari driver Leclerc topped all three practice sessions in Baku to enter qualifying as the favourite for pole position, only to crash out in Q2.

Coming through the tight castle section of the circuit on the Medium compound tyre, Leclerc locked up at Turn 8, causing him to go straight into the wall and damage the front of his Ferrari car.

Leclerc was unharmed in the shunt, but told his Ferrari crew over team radio "I am stupid, I am stupid" before returning to the pits.

In a tweet posted to his account soon after the incident, Leclerc wrote: "No excuses. I've been useless. I will push to have a better tomorrow.

"Sorry to all the people supporting us and even more to the whole team that deserved so much better."

Leclerc will start Sunday's race in Baku from P9 on the grid, with his initial Q2 lap being good enough to secure him a place in Q3 despite being unable to take part.

Antonio Giovinazzi also made it through to Q3 for Alfa Romeo, but will drop 10 places on the grid as a result of a penalty.

No excuses. I've been useless. I will push to have a better tomorrow.
Sorry to all the people supporting us and even more to the whole team that deserved so much better.
: @motorsportpics1 pic.twitter.com/F8rDEr2L0A

— Charles Leclerc (@Charles_Leclerc) April 27, 2019

Speaking in the TV pen after the session, Leclerc took all of the blame for the incident, and said he thought a chance for pole had passed him by.

"I deserve what happened today. I am very, very sad for what happened, but I deserve it," Leclerc said.

"I’ve been stupid, as I said on the radio. I’ve calmed down but I still think I am stupid, that does not change.

"I don’t want to say anything stupid, but I think after looking at FP1, FP2 and FP3, and Q1, pole was possible today, but I threw all the potential in the bin. I’ll come back stronger from this.

"I just braked as much as I did on the Soft, but I was on the Medium, and I locked up. I don’t want any misunderstandings, there are no problems with the tyres. It is just myself."