Five drivers called up before qualifying after dramatic track incidents at Monza

Charles Leclerc, Oscar Piastri and Daniel Ricciardo visit the stewards after the final tests at Monza before the Italian Grand Prix.

An incident during the third free practice session at Monza has caught the attention of the stewards, with Leclerc, Piastri and Ricciardo all called to explain their role in the affair.

Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc cross paths

In the third practice session, Piastri crossed paths with Leclerc while the McLaren driver was on a push lap and clearly felt he had been thwarted by the Ferrari.

As Leclerc pulled away at the exit of the first chicane to let Piastri pass, he raised his hand in apology as Piastri moved around him to circle the Ferrari while Leclerc used the team radio to say “I thought he was further back, it’s my fault”.

Moments later, Piastri slowed down at the exit of the second Lesmo to try to allow Leclerc to overtake him.

However, Piastri’s move to the right of the track came just as the Monegasque had committed to overtaking him on the right, leading to a rapid reduction in the gap to Leclerc, who eventually landed on the grass as the pair slowed down upon realising what was happening.

Leclerc radioed to say: “I almost had an accident with Oscar.”

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Just behind the duo was VCARB’s Daniel Ricciardo, who also had to brake hard to slow behind the blocking Piastri and Leclerc, the other Australian exclaiming “My God!” before being informed of Piastri’s earlier incident with Leclerc.

“Yeah, it was a disaster,” Ricciardo replied.

The stewards are eager to know what happened and have summoned all three drivers to explain what happened through their eyes, with the summons coming before qualifying.

Penalties could include a grid demotion, which would be particularly damaging for Leclerc as the Monegasque aims to bring some glory to Ferrari at his home race.

Separately, Lance Stroll and Sergio Perez were summoned for failing to follow race director’s notes regarding the use of the escape route at Turn 4 after separately exiting into the escape zone towards the end of the session.

Williams recruit Franco Colapinto was also called up for an early practice infringement at the very end of the session.

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