Breaking:FIA Announces Late Penalty for Ferrari Star at Imola GP, Orders Position to Be Handed to W…read more 

FIA Announces Late Penalty for Ferrari Star at Imola GP, Orders Position to Be Handed to W…read more 

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc has avoided any penalty following a controversial late-race incident during the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola. The FIA released a formal statement on the matter after reviewing an on-track clash between Leclerc and Williams driver Alex Albon.

The drama unfolded in the final stages of the race, with Leclerc and Albon battling for fourth place. In a tense wheel-to-wheel moment, Albon attempted to overtake Leclerc but was pushed wide and ended up sliding into the gravel at the exit of Turn 2. The off-track excursion caused Albon to lose momentum, allowing Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton to pass both drivers and move up the order.

Shortly after the incident, the Ferrari pit wall instructed Leclerc to give the position back to Albon. This was a strategic move aimed at pre-empting a potential penalty that could arise from the FIA’s investigation into the altercation. Leclerc complied with the team’s request and allowed Albon to regain the position he had lost, even though Hamilton had already taken advantage and moved ahead.

The FIA confirmed they had initiated an investigation into whether Leclerc had forced Albon off track unfairly. The stewards examined various sources of evidence, including marshalling system data, onboard footage, video replays, and timing data. The focus was on whether Leclerc, driving car number 16, had breached racing regulations by crowding Albon’s car 23 off the racing surface.

However, according to the FIA’s statement, the investigation was discontinued once Leclerc took corrective action by giving the position back. “Before we could conclude our investigations, car 16 voluntarily gave the position back to mitigate the alleged breach,” the statement read. Given this move, the stewards opted not to pursue the matter further and decided that no penalty was necessary.

Leclerc ultimately finished the race in sixth place, two positions behind his Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton, who recovered strongly after a disappointing qualifying session. Both drivers had started outside the top ten, with Leclerc and Hamilton beginning the race from 11th and 12th positions respectively. Their performances marked significant recoveries for their respective teams, especially considering Ferrari’s underwhelming pace in qualifying.

The FIA’s decision not to penalize Leclerc hinged entirely on his proactive effort to undo any potential unfair advantage gained during the incident. By yielding the position back to Albon, he effectively nullified the alleged infraction and restored the race order to a fair state. This outcome highlights the FIA’s continued emphasis on drivers taking responsibility and making amends on track, which can sometimes avert harsher disciplinary measures.

Ultimately, while Leclerc may have lost out on a higher finishing position, he avoided a more damaging time penalty that could have dropped him further down the order. The decision to give the place back not only preserved his points haul but also showcased sportsmanship in a high-pressure situation.