Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc may be facing a review—and potentially an investigation—by FIA stewards after he swore during the post-race press conference following the 2024 Mexican Grand Prix. Leclerc’s off-the-cuff remark, made while recalling a dramatic late-race slide that cost him a podium finish to McLaren’s Lando Norris, could see him in hot water under FIA’s recent guidelines on language.
Explaining his on-track scare, Leclerc said, “I had one oversteer and then when I recovered… I had an oversteer from the other side, and then I was like, ‘f***.’” Realizing the impact of his words immediately, he laughed and exclaimed, “Oh no, I don’t want to join Max!” referencing Max Verstappen’s community service penalty after he swore during the Singapore GP press conference.
Leclerc’s slip did not go unnoticed. The FIA’s transcript of the conference omitted the expletive, and Leclerc was reportedly spoken to by the FIA media delegate right after the press conference. The FIA has since confirmed the incident was documented and forwarded for review, which may take place when the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend kicks off.
Although it’s unclear if Leclerc will face any penalties, Verstappen’s recent comments highlight a sense of frustration among drivers over the application of FIA’s standards. Verstappen quipped that swearing penalties “only count for me,” calling out perceived inconsistencies after Leclerc’s unfiltered remark. He went on to tell Dutch media, “I’ve got the wrong passport for this paddock,” adding that Leclerc’s context could even be “worse than mine.”
As tension over the FIA’s guidelines builds, George Russell, director of the Grand Prix Drivers Association (GPDA), has hinted at a potential statement on the issue. Russell noted, “Common sense needs to be applied… Community service seems a little bit too much for the crime committed,” alluding to Verstappen’s Singapore penalty. The GPDA has yet to formalize its stance, but drivers have voiced concerns over overly strict enforcement that could lead to an exhaustive rulebook.
With more drivers calling for balanced judgment and the GPDA considering its response, the debate over drivers’ language—and whether Leclerc will join Verstappen in the FIA’s penalty books—looks set to continue into the Brazilian GP.
