FIA holding Leclerc punishment discussions – report

The FIA is holding discussions whether Charles Leclerc needs to be punished, for dropping an F-bomb in an official FIA press conference. 

According to Sky Sports News, the governing body is looking into the incident and is expected to make a decision before Thursday’s media day ahead of this weekend’s São Paulo Grand Prix. 

Leclerc swore after finishing third in the Mexico City Grand Prix, before quickly apologising for his error. 

During the press conference, Leclerc said: “I had one oversteer, and then when I recovered from that oversteer, I had an oversteer from the other side, and then I was like, ‘F***!’.

“But luckily…”

Leclerc quickly recognised his mistake, before delivering a rapid apology whilst laughing. 

“Sorry!” Leclerc added. “Oh no! Oh nooo! I don’t want to join Max [laughs].”

The reference to Max Verstappen is the community service punishment he received from the FIA for swearing during a press conference in Singapore. 

It’s understood that Leclerc apologising so quickly could result in the governing body viewing the incident more leniently, and perhaps see him avoid a punishment similar to Verstappen’s. 

The decision to be made by the FIA is whether the Ferrari driver was in breach of the International Sporting Code, which could see the driver receive only a reprimand.