F1 NEWS TODAY: Ferrari face late FIA punishment as MAJOR error..

“Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc Awaits Possible FIA Penalty After Slip of the Tongue at Mexican Grand Prix”

Ferrari could face a potential punishment from the FIA after the Mexican Grand Prix due to a slip-up by Charles Leclerc, leaving the Monegasque driver in a tense position as he waits to see whether he will face any disciplinary action.

Carlos Sainz secured victory for Ferrari in Mexico, but the team’s hopes for a consecutive one-two finish were dashed when Lando Norris overtook Leclerc late in the race. Norris’ maneuver denied Ferrari the second spot on the podium, pushing Leclerc into third place. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen, who had been dominant throughout the season, finished a modest sixth behind both Mercedes drivers, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, who claimed fourth and fifth respectively.

Verstappen faced difficulties early in the race, especially in his interactions with Lando Norris. These close encounters resulted in Verstappen being handed two 10-second penalties, dropping him further down the order. Despite these penalties, the focus shifted towards Leclerc in the aftermath of the race.

Leclerc, who narrowly avoided a crash while fending off Norris due to tyre degradation, made a sharp remark over the radio that caught attention. The Ferrari driver admitted in a post-race press conference that he exclaimed “oh f***” to himself during the tense moment when he briefly lost control of his SF-24 car but managed to recover before hitting the barriers.

After the race, Leclerc expressed regret for his choice of words during the press conference, clearly worried about possible repercussions. He said, “Oh no! I don’t want to join Max!”—referring to the recent punishment Verstappen had received for using foul language during a press conference earlier in the season.

Verstappen’s previous transgression occurred during a media briefing in Singapore when he used inappropriate language. The Dutchman was eventually reprimanded by the FIA, receiving a form of motorsport-related community service as punishment. Leclerc now faces the same concern, as the FIA could issue a similar sanction for his slip of the tongue, although the nature of the incident seems more accidental.

The incident with Leclerc occurred during one of the tensest moments of the race. As Norris closed in on him, Leclerc found himself battling not just his rival but also the deteriorating condition of his tyres. As his car slid, he managed to regain control but expressed frustration over the radio, seemingly without considering the repercussions. The use of foul language in official settings such as press conferences is taken seriously by the FIA, with Verstappen’s case setting a recent precedent.

Ferrari’s celebration of Sainz’s victory could be dampened if the FIA decides to penalize Leclerc for his outburst. However, there is a chance the governing body might let him off, given the context in which the comment was made and his immediate remorse.

In the broader context of the race, Ferrari’s performance marked another strong showing for the Scuderia, with Sainz taking victory and Leclerc holding a solid podium finish despite the late drama. Red Bull’s Verstappen, on the other hand, faced one of his tougher outings of the season, compounded by the penalties and his struggles against the Mercedes drivers and Norris.

The focus now shifts to whether the FIA will decide to act on Leclerc’s comment or choose to overlook the incident. Should a penalty be imposed, it could range from a warning to a more formal punishment similar to the one Verstappen received earlier this year. Either way, Ferrari and Leclerc will be awaiting the FIA’s decision with some apprehension as they prepare for the next race.