Breaking: FIA announce penalty verdict for Ferrari star after late….read more
During the dramatic conclusion of the Imola Grand Prix, the FIA released an official verdict involving Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc following a controversial on-track incident. The matter in question revolved around a late-race battle between Leclerc and Williams driver Alex Albon, as they fought for a spot in the top five.
As the race neared its end, Albon was mounting a challenge on Leclerc for fourth place. In a tense moment, Albon attempted an overtaking maneuver, but the move did not go as planned. During the duel, Albon was forced off the track and ended up in the gravel, ultimately losing momentum and a position. This allowed Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes to capitalize on the situation and move ahead of Albon, and shortly afterward, Hamilton also managed to get past Leclerc, climbing further up the order.
The incident quickly caught the attention of the FIA, as it appeared that Leclerc’s defensive actions may have contributed to Albon’s off-track excursion. This sparked concerns over a possible breach of racing regulations. In response, Ferrari instructed Leclerc via team radio to relinquish the position back to Albon. This move was likely an effort to avoid a formal penalty, as teams are sometimes allowed to correct potential rule infringements on track if done promptly.
The FIA proceeded to investigate the altercation to determine whether Leclerc had gained an unfair advantage or forced Albon off the circuit in a manner that violated racing conduct rules. While initial concerns hinted that Leclerc might face sanctions, the governing body eventually issued an official verdict.
In its statement, the FIA clarified that no further action would be taken against Leclerc. The race stewards concluded that while the incident was indeed competitive and aggressive, it did not meet the threshold for penalization under current regulations. They also noted Ferrari’s proactive decision to instruct Leclerc to give the position back, which contributed to resolving the issue on track and demonstrated sportsmanship.
This verdict brings closure to what was a high-stakes and tense moment in the race, particularly for Ferrari at their home Grand Prix. Leclerc’s actions will likely continue to be a talking point among fans and analysts, but with no penalty applied, his final race result stands. Meanwhile, Albon’s resilience and Hamilton’s comeback drive also added extra layers of drama to an already thrilling contest at Imola.
