LECLERC’S WALL SMASH GIVES MERCS FRONT ROW

VALTTERI BOTTAS led Lewis Hamilton to a Mercedes one-two in Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying as Ferrari’s challenge once again crumbled.

Charles Leclerc (right) had looked favourite but

Ferrari’s new rising star crashed in second qualifying.

He will start ninth with teammate Sebastian Vettel only third on an evening to forget for the Italian team. Leclerc had been the favourite to secure the front slot on the grid after dominating the weekend so far.

But after Robert Kubica hit the barriers at the narrow castle section, the 21-year-old did the same.

Bottas went on to claim the spoils with his final throw of the dice to beat Hamilton by just six hundredths of a second.

“I am stupid, I am stupid,” said Leclerc (above) furiously over the radio before hitting his car with both hands as he emerged from the cockpit. “No excuses, I’ve been useless. I am very disappointed in myself.

“I have been very strong all weekend but it is a mistake I shouldn’t have done. Sorry to all the people supporting us and even more to the whole team that deserved so much better.”

Hamilton said: “Ferrari have looked incredibly quick. Valtteri did an exceptional job in qualifying. It is a massively great result for us. We didn’t have an upgrade and others did – and for us to then lock out the front row I am really grateful.”

The two crashes delayed the running by almost an hour.

Williams now face an almighty repair job to ensure Kubica’s car is in order for the Pole to take part in today’s race.

Lando Norris finished ahead of his team-mate Carlos Sainz by putting his McLaren in a career-best seventh on the grid. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen will line up in fourth.