FIA announce Ferrari penalty verdict at Chinese Grand following…read more
The FIA has announced the verdict of its investigation into Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc following Friday’s sprint qualifying session at the Chinese Grand Prix. Leclerc had a strong performance in the session, finishing fourth, which was a significant improvement compared to his results in Australia the previous weekend. However, there was controversy surrounding his actions during the session, as he was summoned to the stewards for allegedly driving too slowly, exceeding the set limit of 1:54.00 seconds between the two safety car lines.
After reviewing the evidence, including video footage, timing data, and in-car video, the stewards cleared Leclerc of any wrongdoing. The investigation focused on Leclerc’s actions as he prepared for his flying lap, which saw him and teammate Lewis Hamilton running close together. Hamilton, who ultimately took a surprise pole position, was following Leclerc closely as both drivers completed their preparation laps. During this period, Leclerc had to wait for another car, driven by Alexander Albon, to begin his own push lap, causing Leclerc to slow down.
This situation led to the allegation that Leclerc was driving unnecessarily slowly. However, the stewards determined that Leclerc was not at fault, as he had maintained a reasonable speed throughout the session. In addition, he was instructed by the team to let Hamilton pass, as they were running close to one another. The delay was a result of Leclerc’s efforts to ensure a proper gap behind him and not to impede other drivers.
The investigation also found that no other cars were affected by Leclerc’s actions, and he did not gain any unfair advantage. As a result, the stewards ruled that there was no violation of the rules, and Leclerc’s actions were deemed appropriate given the circumstances. The stewards concluded that Leclerc did not drive “unnecessarily slowly” and therefore decided to take no further action.
Despite the controversy, Ferrari had a more positive day in Shanghai compared to the previous race in Australia. While Hamilton’s pole position was a surprising result, both Ferrari drivers showed impressive pace throughout the sprint qualifying sessions. Leclerc’s fourth-place finish was a significant improvement over his performance in Melbourne, where he and teammate Carlos Sainz struggled to finish in the top ten. In contrast, the Chinese Grand Prix seemed to present a much more favorable environment for Ferrari, with the team showing strong potential for both the sprint race and the main event on Sunday.
In addition to the Leclerc penalty investigation, there were also some moments of tension within the team. Leclerc expressed some confusion over a team radio call during the second segment of qualifying (SQ2), when he was asked to swap positions with Hamilton. Leclerc’s response on the radio indicated that he had never been asked to do so before and that he felt in a difficult position. Despite the confusion, Ferrari’s overall performance in the session was promising, and Leclerc’s reaction suggested that the team was working through some strategic communication issues.
Looking ahead, the first sprint race of the season will take place on Saturday morning, with the qualifying session for Sunday’s feature race scheduled for 7am GMT. With Ferrari showing improved form in Shanghai, there is optimism within the team that they can challenge for better results, and the investigation into Leclerc’s actions has only added a layer of intrigue to the weekend’s proceedings.
