Charles Leclerc discovers F1 punishment verdict after Miami GP sprint race crash

Ferrari star Charles Leclerc has avoided a significant penalty for driving his car in an unsafe condition after crashing before the Miami Grand Prix sprint race on Saturday.

Heavy rain hit the Miami track ahead of the race, leaving the track soaking wet. The pit lane had just opened to let the drivers go to the grid, and on a very wet track Leclerc hit the wall heavily.

The Ferrari man had not even been pushing his car but the heavy rain and standing water caught him out and he skidded into the wall. The crash left his rear right wheel hanging off the car, with Leclerc unable to get it back to the pits, meaning he would not start.

The 27-year-old was left devastated by the incident. He said over team radio: "No, no. Ouch. I'll try to go back. Complete aquaplanning. That was complete aquaplanning, I was not even pushing. I don't think I can go back."

Despite the rain and the standing water, Ferrari had opted to send Leclerc and team-mate Hamilton out on the intermediate tyres, rather than full wets. That proved to be a catastrophic decision, with Hamilton left fuming at the team. He said over team radio: "I don't know how you put us out on Inters here."

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Leclerc attempted to return to the pit lane but was eventually forced to pull to the side of the track. The FIA stewards then launched an investigation for potentially driving the car in an unsafe condition.

The Ferrari star has avoided further punishment, though, 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.”

But while Leclerc suffering misery in the sprint race, Hamilton eventually overcame Ferrari's struggles to finish third in the chaotic event in Miami. The star of the sprint race was Lando Norris, who reignited his stuttering championship challenge by winning a dramatic rain-hit sprint race in Miami.

Norris admitted luck was on his side after he cashed in on Fernando Alonso’s late shunt in Miami to win Saturday’s rain-hit race.

Norris’ McLaren team-mate and championship rival Oscar Piastri looked on course to take the victory before Alonso hit the wall with just four laps remaining. The safety car was deployed, and with the field neutralised, Norris was able to come in for dry tyres and emerge from the pits in the lead with Piastri relegated to second.

Norris took advantage of a safety car period to claim the maiden triumph of his career at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium least year, and the British driver said: “My luck in Miami seems pretty good.

“It has worked for me two years in a row now. I would have preferred if that happened tomorrow rather than today but I will take it.” Behind the two McLaren stars, Hamilton finished third for Ferrari and star fourth at the chequered flag.

However, Verstappen was demoted to 17th and last after he was hit with a 10-second penalty following a collision with pole-sitter Kimi Antonelli in the pits. Verstappen’s punishment elevated Alex Albon to fourth, one place ahead of George Russell.