Binotto on Leclerc situation: "We tried to take a risk" but "we screwed up"

After his star driver Charles Leclerc failed to cross the line in time to start a second flying lap in Q3 of qualifying in Abu Dhabi, Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto admits it was the team's fault for putting the Monegasque in that situation.

On their out laps, Sebastian Vettel led Leclerc around the Yas Marina Circuit but the duo encountered traffic, with a McLaren and a Red Bull going slowly as well in front of them.

The end result was Leclerc failing to cross the line in time to start a second flying lap in Q3 for the second time this season. 

"We knew we weren't going to be too competitive today," Binotto started explaining to Sky Sports when asked about the incident.

"Overall on the cars we are missing downforce and that is the main problem."

With Ferrari historically struggling at the track,  having never qualified on the front row at the Yas Marina Circuit, Binotto knew he had to take chances to get the maximum result.

"On the last lap, we wanted to try and take some risks, come out last, but it was too tight on the track and we screwed up.

"We were aware of what the risks could be but it didn’t work today."