Charles Leclerc has been handed a 20-second time penalty at the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix for leaving the track and gaining an advantage in the closing stages.
Leclerc enjoyed a competitive afternoon but lacking the pace of winner Kimi Antonelli and second placed Lando Norris.
The second McLaren of Oscar Piastri had caught Leclerc in the closing stages, dropping to fourth with only one lap to go.
But the Monegasque dramatically spun, making contact with the wall and dropping behind the Mercedes of George Russell.
Rejoining the track with a damaged car, he finished the race, but was immediately summoned to the stewards, who took a dim view of his actions, finding him guilty of cutting corners and gaining an advantage despite car damage.
Imposing a 20-second time penalty, Leclerc dropped to eighth, his strong race pace completely thrown away.
Full decision from the stewards
“The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 16 (Charles Leclerc), team representative and reviewed positioning/marshalling system data, video, team radio and in-car video evidence.
Car 16 spun on the last lap at turn 3 and hit the wall but continued on track. The driver informed us that the car appeared fine save that the car would not negotiate the right hand corners properly.
Given this problem, he was forced to cut chicanes on the way to the chequered flag. We determined that the fact that he had to cut the chicanes (i.e. to leave the track) meant that he gained a lasting advantage by leaving the track in that manner.
The fact that he had a mechanical issue of some sort did not amount to a justifiable reason. We accordingly impose a Drive Through penalty on Car 16, given the number of times the car left the track and gained an advantage.
We also considered whether there was an additional breach in continuing to drive a car with an obvious and discernible mechanical issue. We determined that there was no evidence of there being an obvious of discernible mechanical issue. We therefore took no further action in relation to that potential infringement.
Competitors are reminded that they have the right to appeal certain decisions of the Stewards, in accordance with Article 15 of the FIA International Sporting Code and Chapter 5 of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules, within the applicable time limits.Decisions of the Stewards are taken independently of the FIA and are based solely on the relevant regulations, guidelines and evidence presented.”
Leclerc’s last lap malaise has cost Ferrari dearly. On a track where their much vaunted upgrades looked to be working, the team instead has walked away with mere scraps.
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