Charles Leclerc Faces Brazil GP Penalty After Lewis Hamilton Raises Concerns
Charles Leclerc may face a penalty at the upcoming Brazilian Grand Prix following concerns raised by Lewis Hamilton during the recent Mexico Grand Prix. Leclerc secured a second-place finish at the Mexico event, trailing McLaren’s Lando Norris. His performance was aided by a late Virtual Safety Car that helped him maintain his position against faster competitors, including Max Verstappen.
Incident Overview In Mexico
During the early stages of the Mexico race, Leclerc and Hamilton had a contentious moment at Turn One. Leclerc went off track and appeared to gain an advantage over Hamilton. The two drivers made contact, with Hamilton seemingly ahead at the time.
Hamilton’s Reaction
Hamilton expressed his frustration over team radio, stating, “I was ahead of Charles. What are they doing about people who took advantage of Turn One?” His race engineer, Riccardo Adami, advised him to concentrate on his race and manage his traction metrics.
Penalty Implications
While Hamilton faced a 10-second penalty for a similar incident earlier in the race, both Leclerc and Verstappen escaped without punishment. However, developments suggest that Leclerc may receive a grid penalty at the Brazilian Grand Prix due to potential changes to his car’s power unit.
Brazilian Grand Prix Predictions
Leclerc’s possible penalty could involve a 10-place grid penalty if Ferrari decides to replace his power unit. This situation is reminiscent of Hamilton’s previous experience, where he took an engine penalty ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix this season.
Strategic Considerations
With the Interlagos circuit facilitating overtaking, several teams may contemplate power unit changes to mitigate damage during the race. Notably, during the 2021 Brazilian Grand Prix, Hamilton started from 10th due to a five-place grid penalty for changing his engine but still clinched victory.
- Event: Mexican Grand Prix
- Location: Mexico City
- Leclerc’s Finish: 2nd place
- Hamilton’s Penalty: 10 seconds
- Upcoming Event: Brazilian Grand Prix
- Historical Context: Hamilton’s 2021 victory from 10th
The situation surrounding Leclerc and his potential penalty will be closely monitored as teams prepare for the Brazilian Grand Prix next weekend.
