After a tense late-race tangle, Charles Leclerc dodges any further penalties from the FIA.
- Leclerc and Albon’s battle for fourth ends with Albon in the gravel and no sanctions on Leclerc.
- Frustrated by strategy and timing, Leclerc vents over radio in a heated exchange with his engineer.
- Leclerc’s recovery drive from P11 ends with Ferrari securing vital points at their home race.
- In a clutch, Ferrari guides Leclerc to yield, averting further investigations just in time.
As the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix neared its conclusion, tension escalated when Charles Leclerc and Alex Albon found themselves vying for the fourth spot. Albon’s attempt to overtake Leclerc saw him veer into the gravel at Turn 2, temporarily handing the advantage to Leclerc and even enabling Lewis Hamilton to nudge past, demoting Albon to sixth.
Race Control swiftly took notice, promptly announcing an investigation. Ferrari, anticipating possible penalties, instructed Leclerc to relinquish his position back to Albon. This quick decision by the team prevented further scrutiny from the FIA stewards. Put succinctly, Ferrari’s prompt call preempted the need for any additional sanctions, as confirmed by the stewards: “The Stewards reviewed positioning/marshalling system data, video, timing and in-car video evidence … before we could conclude our investigations, Car 16 voluntarily gave the position back to mitigate the alleged breach.”
Within the confines of his car, Leclerc’s patience was tested. Known for his competitive spirit, he exclaimed, “That’s how racing is now? When you can’t pass, you need to let pass. This is a f**king joke. What did I do wrong?” His words highlighted the frustration many drivers feel when race strategies don’t align as planned.
Adding to his exasperation was an episode involving the virtual safety car earlier in the race. Leclerc’s timing misfortunes during its implementation added another layer of difficulty, sparking another outburst: “Unbelievable! This is unbelievable. Every time I get f**ked with a virtual safety car.” Despite these setbacks, Leclerc showcased resilience, climbing from P11 to clinch sixth place in a solid recovery drive.
In terms of team performance, Ferrari had an eventful race. With Leclerc’s strong comeback paired with Hamilton’s fourth-place finish, the team collected 20 points on their home turf at Imola. It was a decent outcome for Ferrari, showing that while strategy might not always favor them, persistence pays off.
Charles Leclerc’s spirited comeback and Ferrari’s strategic tactics ensured a profitable result at Imola, showcasing the unpredictability and drama inherent in Formula 1 racing.
