Ferrari star facing LATE FIA punishment at Mexican Grand Prix with...

Ferrari star facing LATE FIA punishment at Mexican Grand Prix with…read more

Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz recently claimed a hard-fought victory at the Mexican Grand Prix, while his teammate Charles Leclerc may face a potential penalty from the FIA due to an off-track slip-up. The Ferrari team had been on the verge of a strong one-two finish, but McLaren’s Lando Norris passed Leclerc in the final moments, denying Ferrari a successive top-two finish.

Despite a challenging race with tire degradation issues, Leclerc managed to keep his SF-24 under control, narrowly avoiding a crash. However, during a tense moment after Norris overtook him for second place, Leclerc momentarily lost control. Following the race, he admitted in a press conference that he had muttered “oh f***” to himself during that dicey situation. Realizing his slip, Leclerc immediately expressed concern, jokingly remarking, “Oh no! I don’t want to join Max!” This statement was a reference to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who recently faced FIA scrutiny for a similar issue after using foul language during a press conference at the Singapore Grand Prix. Verstappen’s penalty involved a motorsport community service assignment, setting a precedent that could impact Leclerc’s case.

This incident with Leclerc, while seemingly unintended, could lead the FIA to consider penalizing him similarly to Verstappen, who is no stranger to FIA interventions both on and off the track. At the Mexican Grand Prix, Verstappen struggled and ultimately finished in sixth place, trailing behind Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, who claimed fourth and fifth, respectively. Verstappen’s weekend was further complicated by penalties—two separate 10-second penalties—after close calls with Norris early in the race.

The potential penalty for Leclerc underscores the FIA’s increasing scrutiny of driver conduct both on and off the track, particularly when it comes to public-facing behavior. The governing body has been strict about maintaining professionalism, and Verstappen’s case has heightened awareness among drivers about the importance of language in public forums. While some fans and commentators might argue that Leclerc’s exclamation was a genuine reaction under stressful circumstances, the FIA’s recent decisions suggest they may still enforce a penalty.

If the FIA does decide to penalize Leclerc, the specific penalty remains to be seen. Verstappen’s punishment in Singapore was a relatively unusual one, as community service penalties are rare in Formula 1. However, given the similarities between the cases, Leclerc could face a comparable form of penalty if the FIA chooses to make an example of him. This added layer of tension follows a dramatic race in Mexico, which saw Ferrari and McLaren once again in close competition and Verstappen facing unexpected setbacks.

As the FIA deliberates on a potential penalty for Leclerc, fans and drivers alike will be watching to see whether the governing body continues to enforce its policy on language and conduct, or if it decides to let Leclerc off with a warning.