Hamilton understands Leclerc fury

Lewis Hamilton understood Charles Leclerc's furious reaction after crashing out of Q2 when he had looked a cert for pole position at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The Ferrari man was highly self-critical after crashing into barriers at the castle complex in Baku.

"I deserve what happened today," Leclerc told Sky Sports. "I am very, very sad for what happened, but I deserved it. I have been very stupid."

It is not the first time that Leclerc has admonished himself publicly, with many suggesting that the 21-year-old ought to go easier on himself and focus on the positives – he had been clearly the fastest driver on-track all weekend up to that point.

However, Hamilton could relate to the Monegasque's anger.

"That's how we're tuned as racing drivers, when it's your mistake we're tough on ourselves," he said.

"Maybe a little bit less when you're older. But still it's painful. It's a lot of pressure around a track like this and on his young shoulders. It's totally normal.

"Years and years ago I didn't come out of my room for two or three days when I had some experiences like that.

"So I totally understand how he feels and that's cool he's open about it, because he can get it out and move forwards tomorrow."

Hamilton qualified second as Mercedes capitalised on Leclerc's error to lock out the front row, with Valtteri Bottas taking back-to-back poles.

"Valtteri did an exceptional job, it's a great result for us as a team," said Hamilton.

"Coming here it didn't look like we had the pace, race pace looked good but qualifying thought we might not be as close as we liked, but worked on the car. Improved it today.

"Unfortunately my first two corners were pretty shocking, I had a small moment in Turn 1 and then Turn 2.

"Already by Turn 4 I think I was three tenths down. I recovered that in the next two sectors but unfortunately it wasn't enough."

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