Leclerc reveals technical issue after Qatar Grand Prix

Having finished second at the Qatar Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc has revealed that a technical issue meant that he was unable to drink during the 57-lap race.

Ferrari had been expected to struggle for pace at the Qatar Grand Prix because of the track characteristics of the Lusail International Circuit. Although the team lost valuable points in the 19-lap sprint race, Charles Leclerc picked up the pieces when Lando Norris was hit with a ten-second stop-and-go penalty in the closing stages of the race to finish the race in a brilliant second spot.

It later emerged that Ferrari had a technical issue with the drink bottle in Leclerc's car. Asked whether he was forced to complete the whole race without drinking, Leclerc confirmed it, but claimed that the relatively low temperatures meant that it did not pose a particularly big challenge for him.

"Yeah, I did not drink, but I honestly, I don't think it was that much of an issue for this race. Last year it would have been a really, really big issue. I think I wouldn't have finished the race without my drink, but this year it was actually pretty, pretty chill.

"So yeah, in terms of dehydration, it wasn't bad, but it was quite physical in the corners just because we had no saving to do today. There was basically no saving.

"It was just flat out pushing from the first lap to the last lap, which is quite enjoyable as a driver. I don't think any of us drivers had our heads straight in the fast corners at the end of the race. It was very physical," concluded Leclerc.