“Difficult to digest” – Charles Leclerc admits mistake and clarifies new engine situation in Abu Dhabi. Charles Leclerc commented on the challenging qualifying session for the Abu Dhabi GP.

Not the best way to end the last Saturday of the year. Qualifying for the 2024 Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was far from positive for Charles Leclerc, who will start from the back of the grid and is considering the option of installing a new engine.

It was a few centimeters that made the difference. Car #16 went beyond the white line at Turn 1, preventing Charles Leclerc from making it to Q3 and losing the chance to fight for a better position.

And based on Carlos Sainz’s performance, it’s clear that there’s quite a bit of bitterness among Ferrari fans. The Spaniard finished just a few thousandths away from the first row, and Leclerc likely would have been very close to his teammate.

Charles Leclerc Admits Mistake
“It’s not easy to digest. Obviously, it’s the worst moment to deal with a penalty and a deleted lap in qualifying,” the Monegasque driver said. “We’re in a complicated position for the race, but we’ll give our best to turn the situation around.”

“It’s certainly my fault, there’s no doubt about that. The weekend hasn’t been easy so far, but I’ll do everything I can. I still believe in the title, and I’ll continue to do so until the end.” – the Ferrari driver added.

Regarding the possibility of installing a new engine for the Abu Dhabi GP, Charles Leclerc did not commit to a definitive answer. “We’ll need to discuss it and see if it would force us to start from the pit lane,” he explained.