BREAKING: FIA Announce Penalty Verdict for Charles Leclerc After M…read more
FIA Issues Penalty After Charles Leclerc and Lance Stroll Collision at Monaco Grand Prix
The FIA has released its official verdict following a collision between Charles Leclerc of Ferrari and Lance Stroll of Aston Martin during Free Practice 1 (FP1) at the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix.
The incident unfolded at the iconic Fairmont Hairpin, one of the slowest and tightest corners on the Formula 1 calendar. Leclerc, pushing on a hot lap in front of his home crowd, encountered Stroll moving slowly ahead. Despite blue flags being displayed to signal slower drivers to yield, Stroll failed to move aside, resulting in Leclerc crashing into the rear of the Aston Martin.
According to the stewards’ investigation, the mishap was caused by a failure in team communication. Stroll had not been warned that Leclerc was approaching rapidly. The stewards concluded that Stroll bore full responsibility for the collision and cited a violation of Appendix L, Chapter IV, Article 2 d) of the FIA International Sporting Code, which governs the behavior of drivers when being lapped or approached by faster cars.
As a consequence, Stroll has been handed a one-place grid drop for Sunday’s Grand Prix and has also received one penalty point on his FIA Super Licence. This adds to his yearly tally, which could pose risks if more points are accumulated over the season.
The aftermath of the crash disrupted the session significantly. Leclerc’s car suffered front wing damage, with the left endplate completely torn off. Debris scattered across the track led to a red flag, pausing the session for cleanup. However, Leclerc was able to return to the pits, have the wing replaced, and head back out to post the fastest lap of the session. He later repeated the feat in FP2, underlining his strong pace around the streets of Monte Carlo.
Stroll was not as fortunate. The impact resulted in considerable damage to the rear of his Aston Martin, including the gearbox, rear suspension, and diffuser. As a result, the Canadian was unable to continue in FP1, and the team had to work extensively to prepare the car in time for the second practice session later in the day.
This incident adds an early dose of drama to the Monaco weekend, which is already renowned for its unpredictability and razor-thin margins. With both drivers now looking to rebound in qualifying, the stage is set for an intense and action-packed Grand Prix ahead.
