'He is distraught': Formula One stunned by 'horrible' scenes
F1 fans have been left heartbroken for Charles Leclerc after the Ferrari star was forced to retire from the Spanish Grand Prix, handing the victory and championship lead to Max Verstappen.
Verstappen took a dramatic victory on Sunday to take over the drivers' championship lead from Leclerc, who was forced to retire while leading the race.
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Leclerc defended his pole position at the start, and Verstappen spun off the track early.
But disaster struck when Leclerc's car lost power on Lap 27 of 66.
Leclerc, who was leading by 11 seconds, screamed: "No! No! No! What happened?"
Sky Sports commentator Ted Kravitz said: “Shock on the Ferrari pitwall.
“Charles Leclerc could scarcely believe it. He’s distraught.”
Martin Brundle added: “That’s a big moment for the world championship.”
Leclerc later said: "I don't know anything more than what happened. I had no indications and then it broke.
"It is a shame. In those moments I believe there is nothing else I can do except look at the positives which there are plenty.
"It gives me the confidence for the rest of the season. On the other hand we will look at this issue."
Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto said: "It was a sudden issue.
"I think we learned it first from Charles going into the radio and then from the engineers looking at the data, it was sudden.
"We do not yet have an explanation, it will travel to Maranello during the night and we will disassemble it in the morning."
The timing could not have been much worse for Leclerc, with his home race in Monte Carlo and a showcase of the calendar coming next weekend.
Have to feel horrible for Leclerc. If Max wins it’ll make it even worse. Hopefully Hamilton ends up in the points #SpanishGP
— Carlos | Finance Analytics 💥 (@LosOsorio) May 22, 2022
I just woke up. Horrible luck for LEC.
— shimi_raikkonen (@shimi_raikkonen) May 22, 2022
that was so sad but you did a very great job. looking forward to ur podium at home man
— หม่ามี๊เลิฟยูน้องจีซอง뵤 (@korrnww) May 22, 2022
A fight between @GeorgeRussell63 ❤️🖤 and @Max33Verstappen ❤️💙
Awesome drive from @LewisHamilton 💜💛
But I'm sad that @Charles_Leclerc and @Carlossainz55 didn't win today but maybe their luck will be in Monaco?? ❤️❤️
Lastly to @LandoNorris rest up and Get Well Soon!! 🧡🧡— Jennifer (@_JeNnY_882) May 22, 2022
Just awful when a race is taken from a driver by something totally out of their control. #F1 #Leclerc
— Brian Horwitz (@BHflyer5) May 22, 2022
Awful day to be a Charles Leclerc fan.
Bleh day to be a McLaren fan.
Good day to be a George Russell fan.— 🐶🛠M74📸🎞 (@M74PurpleGrain) May 22, 2022
Happy with the result in Spain, but I can't help feel awful for @Charles_Leclerc. Shout out to @alo_oficial for an amazing race, clawing his way from the back of the pack to secure a couple of points. Driver of the day in my book! #SpanishGP
— Mr. Whimple (@thewhimplestore) May 22, 2022
Max Verstappen wins after Sergio Perez yields first place
Verstappen's third successive triumph puts him on 110 points compared to Leclerc's 104.
However the Red Bull star needed an assist from teammate Sergio Perez to get his fourth victory of the season.
Perez was leading Sunday's race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya when his team told him to let Verstappen pass on Lap 49.
"It's unfair but OK," Perez told his team. "I am happy for the team. We need to speak later."
Verstappen, who had had problems with his DRS system and briefly spun off in the opening laps, later said: "Not an easy start to the race, but we turned it around.
"Thanks to the team for their great job and thanks to Checo (Perez), he is a great teammate."
Perez, who could have taken just the third win of his career, finished second ahead of Mercedes' George Russell in third. Fourth was Carlos Sainz in the other Ferrari.
Lewis Hamilton was fifth in the second Mercedes despite a first lap collision with the Haas of Kevin Magnussen dropping him to the back of the grid after needing a tyre change.
Australia's Daniel Ricciardo finished 12th in his McLaren and outside the points.
Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo), Esteban Ocon (Alpine), Lando Norris (McLaren), Fernando Alonso (Alpine) - who started last having changed parts - and Yuki Tsunoda (Alpha Tauri) were also in the points.
with AAP
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