Leclerc's Vegas Woes Continue with Stewards Summons After FP2
Charles Leclerc's Las Vegas Grand Prix took a turn for the worse after he was summoned by FIA stewards following FP2 for failing to properly secure his Ferrari SF-25 after a gearbox issue. This incident compounds a challenging session for Leclerc, who also experienced a major lock-up, adding pressure as he heads into qualifying and the race.
Charles Leclerc's challenging run at the Las Vegas Grand Prix intensified following a summons by the FIA stewards after the second practice session. The Ferrari driver was cited for breaching Article 26.5 of the Formula 1 sporting regulations, failing to properly secure his car after retiring from the session.
Why it matters:
Leclerc's summons adds another layer of difficulty to a weekend that has already seen the Ferrari driver experience significant car issues, including a gearbox problem that prematurely ended his FP2. These setbacks could impact his performance and morale heading into the crucial qualifying and race sessions, hindering Ferrari's ambition to challenge at the front.
The Details:
- FIA Summons: Leclerc was found in breach of Article 26.5 of the F1 sporting regulations. The specific violation involves failing to replace his steering wheel and turn off the Energy Recovery System (ERS) after his car broke down.
- FP2 Incident: During the second practice session, Leclerc's SF-25 suffered a late gearbox issue, forcing him to park the car behind the barriers.
- Prior to the gearbox problem, Leclerc, who was on soft tires, also experienced a significant lock-up.
- He had joined the pit lane queue hoping for a final push lap, but the gearbox failure prevented him from shifting gears.
- Timing Sheet: Despite the chaos, Leclerc had topped the timing sheets in the first practice session of the weekend, indicating potential pace that is now overshadowed by these issues.
What's next:
Leclerc was expected to report to the stewards at 22:00 local time. The outcome of this meeting could result in a penalty, further complicating his weekend. Resolving the car's reliability issues, especially the gearbox problem, will be Ferrari's immediate priority to ensure Leclerc can compete effectively in the remaining sessions and avoid further sanctions.