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Charles Leclerc to Miss Emilia Romagna GP Media Day Due to Illness, Ferrari Confirms
Ferrari has confirmed that Charles Leclerc will not be participating in Thursday’s scheduled media engagements for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola due to illness. The team released an official statement revealing that the Monegasque driver is feeling unwell and will be resting away from the circuit. While his condition is not considered serious at this stage, Ferrari is cautiously optimistic that he will be fit enough to return to action in time for the start of Friday’s practice sessions.
Leclerc’s absence comes during a pivotal stretch of the 2025 Formula 1 season. Currently fifth in the Drivers’ Championship standings with 58 points, he is still hunting for his first win of the season. His most notable result so far this year was a third-place finish at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. While he has shown strong pace in certain races, consistency and outright race victories have eluded him. Missing Thursday’s preparations could disrupt his weekend rhythm if he is not back to full fitness in time.
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton, Leclerc’s new Ferrari teammate, will be making his first Imola appearance in red. The seven-time World Champion currently sits seventh in the championship table with 41 points and, like Leclerc, has yet to step on the podium this year. The pressure is mounting on both drivers and the Ferrari team as they try to extract more performance from a car that has yet to meet expectations in 2025.
As a team, Ferrari has endured a difficult campaign thus far. With 94 points in the Constructors’ Championship, they are trailing their main rivals—Red Bull Racing, Mercedes, and McLaren. A combination of technical reliability problems and questionable race-day strategies has held them back from consistently challenging at the front. The potential absence of Leclerc this weekend could further strain their chances of closing that gap, especially on home soil at Imola.
Adding to the tension is the uncertain future of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix itself. Formula 1’s global expansion has brought into question the viability of having two races in Italy—Imola and Monza. F1 President Stefano Domenicali has previously indicated that while Italy holds a special place in Formula 1’s heritage, the sport must evaluate its calendar with a more international focus. The fate of Imola beyond 2025 remains unclear.
Leclerc is no stranger to racing through health issues. In the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, he competed while suffering from food poisoning. That weekend also saw him share a practice session with his younger brother Arthur, a memorable moment that was widely appreciated by fans.
With the race weekend fast approaching, Ferrari supporters are hoping for positive news on Leclerc’s recovery. His return will be crucial—not only for his individual title hopes but also for Ferrari’s aspirations in the Constructors’ Championship. All attention now turns to Friday’s opening practice to see if the Monegasque will be back behind the wheel.
