FIA Clears Charles Leclerc of Penalty After Late-Race Drama at I…read more
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has avoided a penalty following a dramatic late-race incident at the 2025 Imola Grand Prix. The FIA announced its decision after reviewing the situation involving Leclerc and Williams driver Alex Albon during the closing stages of the race. The clash, which occurred as the two drivers were battling for fourth place, had initially sparked an investigation, but Leclerc’s subsequent actions led race stewards to drop the matter without any further consequence.
The incident unfolded as Albon attempted to overtake Leclerc at Turn 2, pushing hard to secure a high finish for the struggling Williams team. As the Thai driver made his move, contact occurred that resulted in Albon being pushed into the gravel. This momentary off-track excursion saw him lose a position to Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, who capitalized quickly and overtook both drivers in the ensuing sequence.
Ferrari, recognizing the potential for a penalty, quickly issued team orders to Leclerc, instructing him to return the position to Albon in an effort to minimize any risk of post-race sanctions. Leclerc complied, handing the place back to Albon before continuing his pursuit. Ultimately, the move allowed the FIA to halt its investigation, with stewards concluding that no further action was needed thanks to Leclerc’s voluntary response.
The FIA released an official statement clarifying its stance. “The stewards reviewed positioning/marshalling system data, video, timing and in-car video evidence and determined that it was alleged that car 16 forced car 23 off the track at the exit of Turn 2,” the statement began. “However, before we could conclude our investigations, car 16 voluntarily gave the position back to mitigate the alleged breach. In the circumstances, we took no further action.”
This decision ensured that Leclerc retained his sixth-place finish, just behind teammate Lewis Hamilton, who delivered one of the most impressive drives of the day. Both Ferrari drivers had started the race from disappointing grid positions—11th for Leclerc and 12th for Hamilton—following a poor showing in Saturday’s qualifying session. However, through strategic driving, timely pit stops, and some fortunate circumstances, both drivers managed to climb the order in an eventful race.
Hamilton’s drive, in particular, drew praise from fans and analysts alike. The seven-time world champion showed flashes of his vintage form, carving through the field and making key overtakes at crucial moments. His pass on both Leclerc and Albon marked a highlight in a race full of tension and close calls, and his eventual fourth-place finish helped salvage valuable points for Mercedes.
As for Ferrari, the result was a mixed bag. While both cars finished in the top six and showcased strong race pace, the earlier qualifying issues meant a potential podium finish slipped away. Team principal Frédéric Vasseur admitted the team must work on improving their one-lap pace to avoid putting themselves in difficult mid-pack battles.
Meanwhile, Williams will feel disappointed not to have secured a better result for Albon after his promising drive. The team continues to struggle in race conditions, but Albon’s aggressive racing and competitive spirit provided a rare highlight in what has been a challenging season.
In the end, Leclerc’s decision to give back the position demonstrated sound judgment and an understanding of the regulations, ultimately saving him—and Ferrari—from a costly penalty. The FIA’s swift and transparent communication also helped clarify the situation, preventing any lingering controversy from overshadowing what was a thrilling race at Imola.
