Leclerc’s race-ending move in the Miami Grand Prix came back to bite him. While he was battling for a podium position, the Ferrari driver ended up spinning at the final turn of the race, crashing into the wall, and managing to finish only after damaging his vehicle. Following the race, the race stewards awarded Leclerc a drive-through penalty, which was subsequently changed to a 20-second penalty. He finished eighth as a result, dropping two positions due to the punishment. Officials ruled that Leclerc repeatedly left the track and gained an advantage. The decision capped a frustrating race in Miami and reshuffled the final standings.
The Stewards’ own report referring to a mechanical issue, and Leclerc admitting the “significant” damage he inflicted included suspension damage as he said, “I couldn’t really turn to the right anymore”.
The event occurred during the latter part of the race while Leclerc was pursuing Oscar Piastri. As a result of spinning out at Turn 3, his car had problems when going around right-hand corners. He was seen cutting chicanes while trying to keep his car in check. Meanwhile, George Russell and Max Verstappen both passed him before the finish line.
Finishing positions:
1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
2. Lando Norris (McLaren) +3.264s
3. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) +27.092s
4. George Russell (Mercedes) +43.051s
5. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +48.949s*
6. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) +53.753s
7. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) +61.871s
8. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +64.245s**
9. Carlos Sainz (Williams) +82.072s
10. Alex Albon (Williams) +90.972s
11. Ollie Bearman (Haas) +1 Lap
12. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) +1 Lap
13. Esteban Ocon (Haas) +1 Lap
14. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) +1 Lap
15. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) +1 Lap
16. Sergio Perez (Cadillac) +1 Lap
17. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) +1 Lap
18. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) +2 Laps
DNF Nico Hulkenberg (Audi)
DNF Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
DNF Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
DNF Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)
* five-second penalty
**20-second penalty
Impact on Ferrari
This punishment cost Ferrari many points and places. The loss of Leclerc meant that his teammate, Lewis Hamilton, climbed to sixth place. Other drivers also advanced. The team contended that Leclerc had to leave the race due to damages sustained, but the stewards did not agree.
The Stewards’ regarding the act of repeatedly leaving the track gained Leclerc a lasting advantage, about which they said, “He had to cut the chicanes meant that he gained a lasting advantage… The fact that he had a mechanical issue… did not amount to a justifiable reason.”
Final race results after penalty
The standings were immediately adjusted for the impact made. Kimi Antonelli came first, followed by Lando Norris and Piastri. Russell got fourth place, while Verstappen took fifth place but incurred a five-second penalty.
As a result of Leclerc’s demotion, Hamilton moved up to sixth place, and Franco Colapinto achieved his personal best performance in seventh place, with Leclerc coming eighth. Among the others in the top ten were Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon.
Furthermore, stewards were investigating two more incidents involving Leclerc. First, it was about the safety of Leclerc’s vehicle, and secondly, contact between Leclerc and Russell. But neither of the two led to any further penalties.
