"It was not our day today," says unlucky Leclerc after Bahrain's sorrow

Charles Leclerc left behind what might have been after missing what seemed to be his first victory in a Formula 1 Grand Prix race Sunday in Bahrain.

Despite losing the leader at the start of the race, the 21-year-old from Monaco regrouped and made his way forward in just four laps.

After that, he appeared out of touch with his Ferrari teammate, Sebastian Vettel, and the two Mercedes cars of Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas.

But with more than ten seconds on the 47th lap, Leclerc said at the pit wall that there was "something that really was not going with the engine".

This left him limping the rest of the way to the front line; Meanwhile, Hamilton and Bottas passed him before the checkered flag.

"It happens, it's part of motorsport," said Leclerc after the race, recognizing that he was of course "extremely disappointed" to miss the win.

"I did not have a good start, but we were very strong all the way.

"Unfortunately, it was not our day today," he continued. "Very difficult to take, but thanks to the team for the amazing car all weekend.

"I'm pretty sure we'll come back stronger," he insisted. "I am convinced that the team has done an incredible job recovering from the lack of pace in Australia."

Leclerc missed his first victory on the podium in Formula 1 after a victory in a safety car preventing Max Verstappen Red Bull to overtake in the final seconds.

"We were very lucky in an unlucky situation," said Leclerc. "We had the safety car at the end, otherwise we would have ended even more towards the back

"Also, I do not think we could have used the fuel," he said.

"It's a shame to finish third, it's part of the race, but we'll come back stronger," he added. "Today, third place was not our place, but I'm happy anyway.

"As I have often said in the past, I never look at the result, I look for the potential to do better."

One of the first to console Leclerc after the race is the man who inherited the victory.

"I'm sure the result was devastating for him," commented Hamilton. "He did such a good job, he managed to win in the race and he deserved to win."

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