BREAKING: FIA Delivers Verdict on Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc at Chinese GP… Read more
F1 NEWS: FIA Delivers Verdict on Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc at Chinese GP Following Investigation
The FIA has cleared Charles Leclerc, the Ferrari driver, of any allegations of misconduct following an investigation into his driving during the sprint qualifying session at the Chinese Grand Prix. Leclerc, who placed fourth in the session, was called in front of the stewards due to claims that he was driving excessively slowly, breaching the 1:54.00 time limit between the two safety car lines.
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton, Leclerc’s teammate at Ferrari, astonished the paddock by clinching pole position during the session. This result marked a significant shift in Ferrari’s fortunes after a disappointing showing at the Australian Grand Prix earlier in the season.
Stewards’ Investigation and Verdict
After a detailed analysis, the FIA’s stewards concluded that Leclerc had not violated any rules. They reviewed video evidence, telemetry data, and in-car audio to make their decision. Ultimately, they found no proof that Leclerc had hindered other drivers or sought an unfair advantage.
In their official statement, the stewards provided a clear account of the events:
“Both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton started their preparation laps close together. Hamilton remained behind Leclerc, who had Lance Stroll in front of him on his own preparatory lap. Leclerc had to hold back momentarily to create a gap from Stroll, which resulted in Hamilton overtaking Leclerc under team instructions.”
The statement continued: “At no point did Leclerc reduce his speed unnecessarily or create a hazard for any other competitors. His actions were deliberate and within the rules, as he was attempting to maintain an appropriate gap behind Hamilton. No car behind Leclerc was affected by his movements. Therefore, there will be no further action taken.”
The investigation has concluded that Leclerc’s actions during the session were appropriate, and as such, he will face no penalties for his driving.
Ferrari’s Resurgence in Shanghai
Despite the off-track scrutiny, Ferrari demonstrated a resurgence in performance at the Chinese Grand Prix, showing marked improvement over their previous race in Australia. Lewis Hamilton led two of the three sprint qualifying sessions, while both Ferrari drivers showcased impressive pace on the Shanghai circuit.
However, a brief moment of confusion arose in SQ2, when Ferrari issued an instruction for Leclerc to switch positions with Hamilton. Leclerc, who had been positioned behind Hamilton during this phase of the session, initially questioned the request over the team radio. He replied, “Yes, I’ll do it, but we’ve never done that. And I’m a bit in the s*** as well, so…”
The situation was quickly resolved, and Leclerc complied with the team’s strategy, ensuring Ferrari maintained a competitive position in the session.
Eyes on the Sprint Race and Sunday’s Feature
Now that the penalty investigation has been settled, all attention turns toward Saturday’s sprint race. The sprint race is set to begin at 3:00 AM GMT, and will serve as a critical opportunity for drivers to solidify their starting positions for Sunday’s feature race, which is scheduled for 7:00 AM GMT.
Ferrari, buoyed by their strong performance in sprint qualifying, will be keen to continue their upward trajectory. Hamilton, fresh off his shock pole position, will be aiming to secure a solid result in the sprint race and carry that momentum into the feature race. Meanwhile, Leclerc will look to build on his own form and challenge for a top position.
With Ferrari showing strong signs of revival in China, the upcoming races could prove pivotal in shaping their season, especially as they seek redemption after their earlier struggles in Australia.
