Leclerc angry with himself after late F1 testing error

Charles Leclerc was left frustrated after spinning out during the final day of Formula 1 pre-season testing in Barcelona on Friday, marking his third error across the space of the winter running programme for Sauber.

2017 Formula 2 champion Leclerc caused three red flags across the course of testing, each time for spinning off the track after losing control of his Sauber C37 car.

The Monegasque driver took full blame for the error on Friday, saying it was a "stupid" mistake that cost Sauber track time following his run into the barrier at Turn 12.

"It hasn’t been a very good day for me. Today I have done an error that has cost me quite a lot," Leclerc conceded.

"I will learn from it but I think it’s a bit stupid from my side to do it so early in the day, but it happens. I was pushing, I think the pace was very good on the lap I was doing, but obviously I did not finish it. Completely my fault.

"The two other ones are nothing special. I spun and everything is still quite new for me. I tried to push the limit, which is normal in testing, and I will obviously be a lot more disappointed with myself if this happens in the race in Melbourne.

"I think I’ve had some good information from this, I’ve learnt a lot and there is still a lot to learn. Just stupid to have done it today, I am a little bit angry with myself today, but the two others are just normal."

However, Leclerc felt he could learn some lessons from the errors ahead of his F1 debut in the Australian Grand Prix on March 25.

"I think these errors have taught me a lot. I’m really confident for Melbourne," Leclerc said.

"I think we have done an amazing job, so I am confident we will see once everyone is in the same conditions in Melbourne."