Breaking news: Charles Leclerc Crashes on Formation Lap, Misses M….readmore
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was forced to withdraw from the Miami Grand Prix sprint race after a shocking crash occurred even before the event officially began. The Monegasque driver lost control of his car during the formation lap — the pre-race circuit drivers complete to warm up their tyres — and slammed into the barriers, ending his day prematurely.
Leclerc, who had qualified in sixth position for the sprint race, was running cautiously on intermediate tyres due to damp track conditions. However, he encountered severe aquaplaning, which caused him to lose control despite his reduced speed. His SF-24 slid off the track and into the wall, sustaining damage that prevented him from taking the start of the race.
The incident raised immediate questions within the Ferrari garage and beyond, particularly regarding the team’s tyre choice. With the track still slippery from earlier rainfall, Leclerc’s teammate Lewis Hamilton expressed frustration over team strategy. Over team radio, the seven-time world champion questioned why both Ferrari drivers were sent out on intermediate tyres rather than the safer option of full wet tyres. Hamilton’s concern highlighted a potential misjudgment by Ferrari in evaluating track conditions, especially with safety at stake before racing had even commenced.
This is not the first time Leclerc has faced misfortune in Miami. In a past edition of the Grand Prix, he also suffered a crash during qualifying, sparking wider conversations about risk management and the challenges of driving in unpredictable weather. Saturday’s crash, however, stands out for its timing — occurring before the race had technically started and costing Ferrari a valuable chance to gain sprint points.
Leclerc’s early exit from the sprint race was a significant blow to both his and Ferrari’s ambitions for the weekend. As the sprint proceeded without him, attention turned to how the team might learn from the incident. Ferrari now faces pressure not only to regroup ahead of the main race but also to review its decision-making process under changing weather conditions.
The incident served as a stark reminder of how swiftly fortunes can change in Formula 1 — and how critical every strategic call, particularly regarding tyres, can be to a team’s success or failure.
