Formula 1 fans react as Max Verstappen lost the control of the rear of his…

Charles Leclerc had an afternoon to forget as he crashed out of the French Grand Prix, but at least he had some fun before the race with McLaren driver Lando Norris.

Charles Leclerc enjoyed himself more before the French Grand Prix than he did during it as he tried to wind-up Lando Norris midway through a pre-race interview.

Leclerc’s F1 title ambitions suffered another serious blow as he crashed out on lap 18 at Paul Ricard. The Monegasque driver let out a toe-curling scream once he realised he could no long start his car after planting it in the barriers.

But he was all smiles before the race as he interrupted a Sky Sports interview with Norris. As the McLaren driver began his chat with Rachel Brookes, a devious Leclerc could be seen lurking in the background.

Just as Norris began to give his answer, Leclerc lent his arm across and appeared to try and steal the Englishman’s baseball cap. Both Norris and Brookes turned to look at the Ferrari driver, who gave a big smile as if nothing had happened.

Formula 1 fans react as Max Verstappen lost the control of the rear of his…

F1 fans loved Leclerc’s cheeky actions, with one writing: “Lmfaooo.” Someone else added: “Mad lads. What are they like!” Others users opted for cry-laughing emojis to convey their emotions.

Trying to steal Norris’ hat probably turned out to be the high point of the afternoon for Leclerc, who threw away his chance of a race win after crashing out on lap 18.

In command of the race after a pitstop by championship rival Max Verstappen, the 24-year-old lost control of the rear of his Ferrari with no one around him and planted it into the barriers.

Leclerc later admitted that the crash was his fault, not that of his team, saying: “Mistake. I am performing at the highest level of my career but if I keep the mistakes then it is pointless. If we lose the championship by 32 points I will know where they are coming from but it is unacceptable.

“I go through the same process all the time and try to analyse. It is a mistake and that is it. It is trying to push too much and I lost the rear. It has been a very difficult weekend for me, I struggled with the balance of the car. I did a mistake at the wrong moment.”

Leclerc is now 63 points behind Verstappen in the drivers’ championship after the Red Bull driver’s win in France.