Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari Draws FIA Attention Ahead of United States Grand Prix
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has found himself under the spotlight ahead of the 2025 United States Grand Prix, as the FIA announced that his SF-25 car has been selected for a detailed inspection and display. The governing body confirmed the move through an official statement on Friday morning, setting the tone for a busy start to the race weekend in Austin, Texas.
According to FIA regulations, a handful of teams are routinely chosen to present their cars before the start of the first practice session (FP1). These displays serve as a way for media representatives and paddock personnel to take a closer look at the latest design evolutions, technical components, and aerodynamic updates implemented by teams. This time around, Leclerc’s Ferrari, Isack Hadjar’s Racing Bulls, and Nico Hulkenberg’s Sauber were the cars showcased for this technical and media review. The display session was held between 11 a.m. and noon local time, drawing attention from both fans and technical observers eager to see the subtle developments on each car as the season enters its crucial final stretch.
While the FIA’s procedure is routine, the timing of Ferrari’s involvement comes at an interesting moment for the team. The Scuderia has endured a turbulent run of form lately, falling behind McLaren and Red Bull in the competitive order. Leclerc, in particular, has been eager to bounce back from recent disappointments and end the season on a high note. Having his car selected for inspection adds another layer of scrutiny — though it is important to note that this process is standard and non-penal, serving purely for transparency and technical evaluation.
Meanwhile, the championship contenders — Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, and Max Verstappen — can breathe a small sigh of relief. None of their cars were among those chosen for display, allowing them to maintain their pre-weekend routines uninterrupted. With just six Grands Prix and three sprint races remaining, the title fight is reaching fever pitch, and every session now carries massive weight.
The F1 Title Race Tightens
The 2025 United States Grand Prix marks the fourth sprint weekend of the season and the first since the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps nearly three months ago. The format offers a maximum of 33 points across both the sprint and main race, meaning there’s plenty at stake for the leading trio.
Oscar Piastri currently leads the standings, holding a 22-point advantage over his McLaren teammate Lando Norris, while Max Verstappen lurks just 41 points behind the Briton in third place. The Dutchman’s recent resurgence has reignited the championship conversation — he has won two of the last three races and finished runner-up in the other, collecting 58 points in that span.
By contrast, Norris has earned 39 points over the same period, while Piastri has struggled slightly, gathering just 27 points, largely due to a disastrous outing in Baku. The McLaren duo, once united in their push for the constructors’ title, have increasingly found themselves locked in intra-team battles that have cost them valuable ground to Verstappen.
Now, as the series heads to Austin’s Circuit of the Americas, all eyes are on how the top three will handle the pressure. With 174 points still up for grabs across the remaining rounds, the title race remains wide open — and any small error could prove decisive.
For Leclerc and Ferrari, however, the focus is less on championship glory and more on salvaging pride and demonstrating progress ahead of 2026’s sweeping regulation changes. The Monegasque driver has consistently shown flashes of brilliance this season, but inconsistency and strategic missteps have hindered Ferrari’s overall performance. Still, the team remains hopeful that the U.S. Grand Prix weekend can serve as a springboard for a stronger finish.
As the Austin paddock buzzes with anticipation, the FIA’s technical inspection of Leclerc’s car adds a touch of intrigue to an already intense weekend. For Ferrari, it’s another reminder that in Formula 1, every detail matters — and under the unforgiving scrutiny of the sport’s governing body, there’s nowhere to hide.
With the sprint race and main Grand Prix ahead, the United States GP promises a thrilling showdown between McLaren’s rising stars and Verstappen’s relentless pursuit — while Ferrari quietly works to reclaim its lost edge.
