Charles Leclerc summoned to stewards after Chinese Sprint Qua…read more
Charles Leclerc has been summoned to the stewards following Sprint Qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix after an alleged failure to comply with the race director’s instructions. The event, which took place at the Shanghai International Circuit, marked the first Sprint Qualifying of the 2025 Formula 1 season. In an unexpected turn of events, it was Lewis Hamilton who emerged as the fastest, securing his first pole position with Ferrari. Despite predictions that McLaren might dominate the weekend, with Lando Norris showing strong pace in Free Practice 1, it was Hamilton who delivered a stunning lap of 1:30.849, setting a new lap record and beating Max Verstappen by just 0.018 seconds.
Leclerc, who had been in the mix but couldn’t match his teammate’s pace, finished the session with the fourth-fastest time, just two-tenths of a second slower than Hamilton. However, following the conclusion of Sprint Qualifying, the FIA confirmed that Leclerc was under investigation for allegedly breaching the rules regarding the maximum time delta between Safety Car lines during the session. The investigation was prompted by a report that Leclerc might have exceeded the time limit set by the race director’s instructions.
The official stewards’ note referred to an alleged breach of Article 33.4 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations and Article 12.2.1 i) of the FIA International Sporting Code. These regulations pertain to drivers’ conduct on the track, with Article 33.4 specifically addressing behavior that could be deemed dangerous or unnecessarily slow. This rule is designed to ensure that cars are driven in a manner that doesn’t pose a risk to other drivers or any other person involved in the event.
The same alleged violation was noted for Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll, who qualified in P10. Like Leclerc, Stroll will also be required to meet with the stewards to explain his actions during the session. The timing delta rule is crucial in ensuring that drivers maintain a safe and consistent pace, especially when the Safety Car is in use. Any deviation from the set time limits can be considered a violation of the regulations, leading to further scrutiny and potential penalties.
While this investigation could result in penalties or reprimands, it also highlights the increasing importance of adhering to all race director’s instructions. With the competitive nature of F1, every detail can have a significant impact on a driver’s performance and standing in the championship. As the stewards continue their investigations, the outcomes for both Leclerc and Stroll will be eagerly anticipated, as the Chinese Grand Prix weekend progresses.
