Leclerc crashes out of French Grand Prix

Ian Parkes
Sunday 24 July 2022 14:44 - Updated: 15:06

Charles Leclerc suffered another severe blow to his F1 title hopes this season after crashing out while leading the French Grand Prix.

From pole position, Leclerc had managed to keep title rival Max Verstappen behind him over the first 16 laps before tyre wear forced the Red Bull driver into the pits.

Out in front on his own, on wearing rubber, Leclerc lost the rear of his SF-75 around the long right-hand loop of turn 11, Le Beausset.

Caught in a spin across the expansive run-off area, Leclerc ended up burying the nose of his car in a barrier, sparking a safety-car period.

Over the radio, Leclerc was asked if he was okay, to which he replied: "I cannot get off throttle!"

Following a prolonged period of frustrated heavy breathing, Leclerc then let out a scream of "Noooooooo!", underlining the damage sustained to his championship challenge.

The 24-year-old also retired in the Spanish and Azerbaijan Grands Prix while leading but on those occasions through power unit issues.

Following the safety car, Verstappen inherited the lead, followed by Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton and George Russell either side of third-placed Sergio Perez.