FIA Decides Not to Penalize Leclerc after Contact with Verstappen at Spanish GP
In a key decision following the Spanish Grand Prix, the FIA stewards have opted not to impose any penalties on Charles Leclerc after his late-race contact with Max Verstappen. This ruling allows Leclerc to maintain his third-place finish behind McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
The incident occurred on Lap 61 during a safety car restart. Verstappen experienced significant oversteer exiting the final corner, causing him to lose momentum on hard tyres. As Leclerc advanced alongside, both drivers appeared to shift towards one another, resulting in minor contact.
The stewards reviewed extensive evidence, including video footage, telemetry, and driver statements. They concluded that both drivers shared responsibility, labeling the incident as a racing occurrence rather than a clear breach of conduct. “Both drivers were of the view that this was an avoidable collision but neither was wholly or predominantly to blame,” the stewards stated.
Despite the lack of action against Leclerc, Verstappen’s day ended in disappointment. He finished in 10th place after receiving a 10-second penalty for a separate collision with George Russell. This penalty also incurs three points on his racing license, bringing him one point shy of a race ban ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix later this month.
As the championship battle intensifies, these developments add further complexity to an already charged season.
