FIA holds talks as Charles Leclerc faces penalty threat and decision expected soon

Ferrari Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc is in a precarious position with the FIA ​​considering a penalty against him for swearing during the Mexican GP post-race press conference. The incident occurred when Leclerc recounted a moment in the race when he lost control of his car.

At the press conference, Leclerc explained: “I had one upset and when I recovered from that upset I got an upset from the other side and then I thought: ‘f***’.” Realizing his mistake, he quickly added, “Oh, sorry! Oh, no, oh no! I don’t want to go with Max.’ His immediate apology could potentially influence the FIA’s decision on possible penalties.

This incident mirrors a recent situation involving fellow driver Max Verstappen, who was penalized for using similar language during the Singapore Grand Prix. The three-time champion was given community service, a sentence he has yet to fulfill.

Sky Sports News reports this that the FIA ​​is actively investigating Leclerc’s incident, with a decision expected before the upcoming Sao Paulo Grand Prix. Possible penalties range from a simple reprimand to more serious consequences such as fines or community service, as set out in the FIA ​​International Sporting Code. In particular, these offenses fall under Article 12.2.1k, which prohibits language that could harm the interests of motorsport and the values ​​promoted by the FIA.

This comes after FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem explained:

“We have to distinguish between our sport – motor racing – and rap music.

“We’re not rappers, you know. How many times per minute do they say the F-word? We are not concerned with that. They are and we are (us).

“I know, I was a driver. In the heat of the moment, when you think you’re upset because another driver came up to you and pushed you…

“If I was driving in the dust (and something like that happened), I would get upset. But we also have to be careful with our behavior. We have to be responsible people.

“And now with technology everything goes live and everything is recorded. Ultimately, we have to study that to see: are we minimizing what’s being said in public?

“Because imagine you’re watching the race with your kids and then someone says all this bad language.

“I mean, what would your kids or grandkids say? What would you teach them if that is your sport?”