Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won the French Grand Prix on Sunday and took a huge stride towards a second Formula One title after Ferrari rival Charles Leclerc crashed out of the race while leading from pole position.
Seven times world champion Lewis Hamilton finished second for Mercedes in his 300th grand prix, with team mate George Russell third.
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc crashed out of lead of the French Grand Prix, dealing a critical blow to his title chances.
Leclerc was in a commanding position and was expected to pit for fresh tyres when he ran wide at the high-speed Turn 11 and spun into the barriers.
The mistake handed the lead of the race to title rival Max Verstappen, who was already leading Leclerc by 38 points ahead of the race.
“I am performing at the highest level of my career but if I keep the mistakes then it is pointless. If we lose the championship by 32 points I will know where they are coming from but it is unacceptable,” Leclerc told Sky Sports.
“I go through the same process all the time and try to analyse. It is a mistake and that is it. It is trying to push too much and I lost the rear. It has been a very difficult weekend for me, I struggled with the balance of the car.
“I made a mistake at the wrong moment.”
