The FIA has dropped the hammer on Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc following an incident at the Imola Grand Prix, with a shocking punishment verdict being delivered. The stewards’ decision came after Ferrari altered Leclerc’s tyre pressure in a way that breached regulations, ultimately resulting in a €5,000 fine for the team. Despite Leclerc’s transgression, the penalty was directed at Ferrari, leaving many questioning the fairness of the outcome.
In a statement released by the FIA, it was revealed that Ferrari had failed to follow the prescribed procedure outlined in Technical Directive 003G. The team admitted to not adhering to the necessary steps when adjusting tyre pressures, leading to the breach of Article 30.5 a) of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations. This violation during Free Practice 1 did not go unnoticed by the stewards, who imposed the fine as a consequence.
Interestingly, a similar incident involving Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell at the fictional 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix also made headlines. The duo’s team altered tyre pressures during a delayed race start, resulting in a collective €10,000 fine for Mercedes. While no sporting penalties were issued to the drivers, the financial implications of such actions raise concerns about the potential impact on teams in the future.
With F1 constantly under scrutiny for technical infringements and the enforcement of penalties, the recent cases involving Ferrari and Mercedes serve as a stark reminder of the strict regulations governing the sport. As the drama unfolds on the track, off-track controversies continue to add layers of complexity to an already intense and competitive season.
