Ferrari star triggers red flag following cr…read more
During the opening practice session (FP1) of the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc suffered a significant crash that brought the session to an abrupt halt. The incident occurred just 15 minutes into the session, prompting race officials to wave the red flag and temporarily suspend all track activity.
Leclerc’s crash happened as he approached Turn 3, part of the second chicane on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The Monegasque driver locked up his brakes on entry, lost control of the car, and slammed into the barriers on the left side of the track. The impact was severe enough to cause extensive damage to the entire left-hand side of his Ferrari. The car was visibly wrecked, with suspension components and bodywork heavily compromised.
The accident immediately forced race control to interrupt the session as marshals attended to the scene and recovery crews worked to remove the stricken Ferrari. The red flag was necessary not only for safety but also to clear debris and assess damage to the barriers. While Leclerc was able to climb out of the car unaided and appeared uninjured, the crash presented a major setback for both him and the Ferrari team.
This early disruption meant limited running for all drivers during the initial session, a critical time where teams typically focus on gathering performance data, testing setups, and understanding tire behavior. For Ferrari, the situation was even more challenging. The mechanics were faced with the demanding task of repairing Leclerc’s damaged car in time for the second practice session (FP2) later in the day.
The crash was especially frustrating given the importance of practice sessions at a street circuit like Montreal, where grip levels evolve rapidly, and every lap is valuable. Ferrari now faces an uphill battle to recover from the lost time and ensure Leclerc can participate effectively in FP2 and the remainder of the weekend.
Meanwhile, the weekend has seen other noteworthy developments, including off-track drama involving Red Bull, as one of their drivers has reportedly been summoned by race stewards, and an FIA disqualification verdict has drawn attention across the paddock. While these headlines have added tension to the weekend’s narrative, Leclerc’s crash was the defining incident of the opening session.
As the team works to repair the car, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Ferrari bounces back from this early blow. Leclerc’s resilience and the team’s efficiency in the garage will be critical in determining how competitive they can be for the rest of the Canadian Grand Prix weekend.
