Charles Leclerc learns stewards verdict after pre-race Miami crash

03/05/2025 22:02

The F1 stewards have delivered their verdict following an investigation into Charles Leclerc following his crash in Miami on Saturday. Leclerc's sprint race ended before it ever even got underway as the Monegasque driver aquaplaned into the wall on his reconnaissance lap to the grid. The Miami Autodrome was hit with heavy downpour on the build-up to the sprint race, which resulted in a red flag after two formation laps. Leclerc was equipped with the intermediate tyres when he hit the wall, with the car sustaining significant damage in the process. Leclerc attempted to get the car back to pit lane but was forced to pull to the side of the track, after which the FIA stewards launched an investigation for potentially driving the car in an unsafe condition. The Monegasque driver has avoided a significant penalty, with the stewards hitting him with a reprimand. "Car 16 hit the wall in Turn 10 and sustained significant damage," read a statement.  "Nonetheless, the driver continued on track (at a low speed) and only stopped before Turn 14, after being told to do so by the team. "The Stewards note that incidents during the Reconnaissance Laps will be regarded in the same way as incidents during Free Practice and therefore a reprimand is considered appropriate."