JUST IN: Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc has been FINED €10,000 (£7,700)

“Charles Leclerc Fined for Swearing in Post-Race Press Conference After Mexico City GP”

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc has been handed a fine for using inappropriate language during a post-race news conference following the Mexico City Grand Prix. The 27-year-old driver was penalized €10,000 (£7,700), with half of the fine suspended on the condition that he avoids committing the same offense within the next 12 months.

Leclerc’s fine comes after a moment of frustration when he recalled a tense incident towards the end of the race. In response to a question about nearly losing control of his car at the final corner while defending against McLaren’s Lando Norris, Leclerc used coarse language, which later led to the fine. The incident saw Leclerc run off the track, narrowly avoiding the barriers, and ultimately losing second place to Norris.

The stewards of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, who reviewed the incident, noted that Leclerc was “immediately apologetic” after swearing, which served as a mitigating factor in their decision. As a result, his punishment was lighter than the one imposed on Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who faced a similar situation at the Singapore Grand Prix in September. Verstappen’s penalty not only included a fine but also required him to perform a public service as part of his punishment.

The judgement in Leclerc’s case highlighted that the Ferrari driver’s use of foul language came in response to a “somewhat leading question” during the press conference. Leclerc had been asked, “What did you say to yourself?” in relation to the heart-stopping moment when he struggled to keep control of his car. The stewards explained that Leclerc’s response reflected his immediate thoughts during the incident, but he quickly realized his mistake and offered an apology.

The decision to summon Leclerc came after Verstappen raised concerns about the inconsistency in how these offenses are handled. Verstappen had pointed out that while he was punished for swearing in Singapore, Leclerc initially seemed to avoid any repercussions for his similar behavior in Mexico. Verstappen’s frustrations were evident after the Singapore penalty, where he deliberately limited his responses during the official FIA press conference, only to provide more detailed answers to journalists outside of the formal setting.

The issue of swearing in Formula 1 has been a contentious topic recently. In an interview with Autosport, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem expressed concerns about swearing being broadcast during races, prompting the governing body to take a stronger stance on the issue. However, the drivers have been vocal in their disagreement with Ben Sulayem’s comments, arguing that their radio messages, often laced with emotional outbursts, represent their authentic reactions in the heat of the moment. The drivers also pointed out that any offensive language broadcast on television is typically censored.

Formula 1’s commercial rights holder, which oversees the sport’s TV broadcasts, has made it clear that there are no plans to change its approach to airing radio messages, despite the recent controversies surrounding driver language.

Mercedes driver George Russell, who serves as a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), revealed that the drivers had been working on an open letter to address the issue. Russell noted that while the letter was intended to express the drivers’ collective views on the matter, it may also include additional points that have not yet been publicly discussed. However, as of now, the letter has yet to be released.

The debate over swearing in Formula 1 highlights a broader conversation about authenticity versus professionalism in a sport where drivers are often caught in the emotional intensity of racing. For now, Leclerc’s fine serves as a reminder that, despite the raw emotions involved, the sport’s governing body is keen to maintain a level of decorum, both on and

off the track.