BREAKING: FIA Announce Penalty Verdict on Charles Leclerc After Monaco FP1 C…read more
FIA Releases Decision on Charles Leclerc Following FP1 Crash with Lance Stroll in Monaco
The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has officially cleared Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc of any wrongdoing following his collision with Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll during the first practice session (FP1) of the Monaco Grand Prix weekend.
The high-profile incident took place at the tight and iconic Fairmont Hairpin—widely known as the slowest and one of the most challenging corners on the Formula 1 calendar. As Stroll attempted to navigate the hairpin, Leclerc moved up the inside line, already committed to the corner. However, the Aston Martin driver seemingly failed to notice Leclerc’s presence, resulting in contact that left Stroll with significant rear-end damage and brought the session to a temporary halt under red flags.
Leclerc’s car suffered front wing damage, but the Ferrari team responded swiftly in the garage, replacing the wing and enabling their home hero to return to the track without major delay. The incident did not cause structural damage to Leclerc’s SF-25 chassis, allowing him to complete the rest of the session without further issue.
Stroll, however, was forced to retire from the session early, with Sky Sports F1 reporter Ted Kravitz confirming that the damage to the rear of the car was too extensive to repair in time for a return to FP1. “That’s session over for Lance Stroll,” Kravitz reported. “There’s simply too much to replace—rear suspension, gearbox area—it’s a big job.”
After conducting a thorough review that included video footage, telemetry data, and statements from both teams and drivers, the FIA stewards concluded that no driver was wholly or predominantly to blame, classifying the clash as a “racing incident.” This ruling means that no penalties or reprimands will be handed to Leclerc, who will maintain a clean slate heading into the crucial qualifying sessions.
The verdict is a welcome outcome for Ferrari and Leclerc, particularly as the Monegasque driver has a tumultuous history with his home Grand Prix. Despite showing strong pace in previous years, Leclerc has never finished on the podium in Monaco, often falling victim to bad luck or mechanical issues. With no further sanctions, he remains in a strong position to challenge for pole on a circuit where starting position is often more important than outright race pace.
For Stroll and Aston Martin, the incident represents a frustrating start to the weekend. The loss of valuable track time on one of the trickiest circuits for car setup and driver rhythm could hinder their progress, especially with limited overtaking opportunities around the tight street layout. The team’s mechanics will now be under pressure to ensure the car is fully repaired and ready for FP2.
As the Monaco weekend progresses, the collision serves as a reminder of how unforgiving the circuit can be—even during practice. Precision, communication, and awareness are key, and even minor misjudgments can have costly consequences.
