Ferrari's Charles Leclerc suffers heartbreak as Max Verstappen claims French Grand Prix victory

There was heartbreak for Charles Leclerc as he crashed out from pole position as Max Verstappen won the French Grand Prix on Sunday. Verstappen failed to overtake Leclerc at the open with the Monegasque rider looking in good position to cut into the 38-point gap between him and the Dutch world champion.

Ad/> Meanwhile further back the grid, Mercedes’ driver Lewis Hamilton swept past Sergio Perez, Verstappen’s teammate, and kept in touch with the front pair. French Grand Prix'I hope he's okay' — Verstappen worried for Leclerc after crash ends Ferrari driver's hopesAN HOUR AGO There was a huge moment of drama, and disappointment for Ferrari, on lap 18 when Leclerc appeared to spin out before hitting the barrier, leading him to scream in frustration at his team as he blamed his throttle.

Later he admitted he made a 'mistake' and said he needed to 'get on top of those things' as he worried the repeated mistakes may cost him the title. It was the third time this season that Leclerc had failed to finish a race after leading, and came after the Austrian Grand Prix saw his teammate Carlos Sainz — starting from the back of the grid — leaping from his burning vehicle.

Leclerc crashes out of French Grand Prix while leading, blames issue with throttle Rosberg: Friendly rivalry between Verstappen and Leclerc won't last While Leclerc was frustrated, Sainz continued to press through the pack and after 34 laps he was well set in fourth. After Leclerc’s exit, Verstappen was on hand to take the lead and extended his lead over Hamilton to more than six seconds.