Charles Leclerc to Miss Imola Media Duties Due to… Read more
Ferrari has confirmed that Charles Leclerc will not take part in Thursday’s media engagements at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola due to illness. The Monegasque driver, who is in his seventh full season with the Scuderia, is expected to return to the paddock in time for Friday’s practice sessions.
Leclerc, currently fifth in the 2025 F1 Drivers’ Championship, has been one of Ferrari’s few bright spots in what has been a challenging start to the season. He secured the team’s only podium so far this year with a third-place finish at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah. However, Ferrari trails current Constructors’ leaders McLaren by a significant 152 points after just six races. This is a disappointing contrast to last season, where the Italian team narrowly missed out on the Constructors’ title, finishing just 14 points behind McLaren.
The news of Leclerc’s illness was shared by Ferrari on Thursday morning, with the team stating that the 27-year-old will rest and recover ahead of Friday’s on-track action. In a statement provided to PlanetF1.com, Ferrari said: “Charles is feeling unwell and will not be coming to the track today. He will rest and focus on recovering and we expect him to be in the car tomorrow.”
Despite the setback, Leclerc’s participation in the rest of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix weekend does not appear to be in jeopardy. The team remains optimistic that he will be fit to drive when the action begins.
Leclerc has been a key figure for Ferrari since joining from Sauber in 2018. Since making the move, he has achieved eight race wins, 44 podium finishes, and 26 pole positions. His most successful season came in 2022, when he finished as runner-up in the Drivers’ Championship. Last season, he returned to form with three wins in Monaco, Italy, and the United States.
Currently, Leclerc holds a 12-point lead over his new team-mate, seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton, in the standings. The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix is Ferrari’s first of two home races this year, with the Italian Grand Prix at Monza scheduled for September.
The 2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix could also mark the end of an era, as it is expected to be the last F1 race at Imola for the foreseeable future. The current contract for the venue expires at the end of the season, and there is no indication of a renewal.
Ferrari and its fans will be hoping Leclerc is back to full strength to deliver a strong performance at their home track.
