Fiery controversy: after Zandvoort, a brand new chapter within the Russell–Leclerc battle at Monza
The 2025 Italian Grand Prix burst into controversy inside the opening laps after an incident that instantly had followers and specialists debating. On lap 4, Charles Leclerc, whereas attempting to defend his place from Oscar Piastri, minimize throughout the Rettifilo chicane and rejoined the observe with out giving the place again. George Russell didn’t mince his phrases on the crew radio, overtly protesting: “That’s positively a long-lasting benefit for Charles Leclerc.”
This incident got here barely every week after the heated duel between Leclerc and Russell at Zandvoort, the place the Ferrari driver had pulled off an aggressive transfer that was already beneath scrutiny. At Monza, tensions between the 2 flared up as soon as once more: George Russell instantly reported the irregularity, whereas Piastri additionally demanded that the Monegasque hand again the place, saying: “He has to present the place again. He defended and went straight on.”
Regardless of the protests, the FIA didn’t hand out any penalty. Two laps later, it was Oscar Piastri himself who managed to overhaul Leclerc across the exterior on the Rettifilo chicane.
In line with the Formulation 1 Sporting Laws, a driver who leaves the observe should return with out gaining a “lasting benefit.” Nevertheless, the episode went unpunished, leaving rivals baffled and elevating contemporary doubts over the consistency of the stewards’ choices.
In the meantime, Charles Leclerc’s personal crew radio messages along with his engineer Bryan Bozzi revealed that the Monegasque driver was already scuffling with rear tyre overheating and several other early race lock-ups, components that contributed to the error on the Rettifilo. However the FIA’s choice to not examine solely fueled the controversy additional, with Ferrari as soon as once more on the heart of a regulatory storm.
Sep 10, 2025
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