FIA Disqualifies Charles Leclerc from Monaco GP Over Fuel Flow Violation
In a dramatic turn of events leading up to the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has been officially disqualified from the results of the Monaco Grand Prix. The decision, made by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), comes after a detailed technical investigation uncovered a violation related to the car’s fuel system—a core component regulated to ensure fairness across the grid.
The ruling is a significant blow not only to Leclerc, who hails from Monaco and was racing in front of his home crowd, but also to the Ferrari team, which had been hopeful after securing a respectable fourth-place finish at the prestigious street circuit. The FIA’s announcement arrives just days before the Canadian race weekend, casting a shadow over Ferrari’s recent performance momentum.
According to the FIA’s official report, Leclerc’s Ferrari SF-23 was found to have breached the sport’s fuel flow regulations. These regulations are crucial in modern Formula 1, as they are designed to prevent teams from gaining any unfair advantage through manipulation or modification of fuel delivery systems. The FIA mandates strict limits on how much fuel can flow into the engine at any given time, with these measurements monitored in real-time during the race.
A post-race technical inspection revealed that Leclerc’s car exceeded the permissible fuel flow limits, leading to the disqualification. Sources familiar with the matter explained that the violation stemmed from irregularities in the fuel delivery system—specifically, components that caused the car to deliver fuel at a rate above the legal threshold. While it’s unclear whether the breach was due to a mechanical oversight or a miscalculation, the consequences are clear.
In a statement released on Thursday, the FIA confirmed its decision: “Following a comprehensive technical inspection, the fuel flow of car number 16 was found to exceed the maximum rate as stipulated in the technical regulations. Therefore, Charles Leclerc is disqualified from the results of the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix.”
The governing body reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the integrity of Formula 1 by maintaining strict adherence to the rules. “Technical compliance is not optional,” the statement continued. “All teams must ensure their cars operate within the defined parameters at all times.”
Ferrari has responded without contesting the outcome. The team has chosen not to file an appeal, instead acknowledging the FIA’s findings and expressing intent to investigate the issue internally. In a brief statement, Ferrari said it respects the governing body’s decision and is working to ensure such compliance issues do not arise again in future races.
While Leclerc’s championship hopes remain intact, the disqualification strips him of valuable points and could influence Ferrari’s position in the highly competitive Constructors’ Championship. The team has been locked in a tight battle with rivals Red Bull and Mercedes, and every point matters as the season unfolds.
For Leclerc, the incident is especially disappointing given the significance of the Monaco Grand Prix in his personal and professional life. The home race had long been a source of heartbreak and misfortune for him in previous years, and his strong fourth-place finish had seemed like a breakthrough moment—until the disqualification overturned that narrative.
As the F1 circus now moves to Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix, this incident serves as a stark reminder that even the smallest technical discrepancy can carry major repercussions in Formula 1. With the FIA continuing its strict enforcement of the rulebook, teams are once again reminded that precision is everything—and that success on the track must be matched by meticulous compliance behind the scenes.
