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Formula 1 fans have been left stunned by Charles Leclerc’s penalty at the Miami Grand Prix, after seeing that his car was damaged from his last-lap spin.
The Ferrari star was handed a 20-second time penalty after the race, as he was judged to have left the track ‘on several occasions without a justifiable reason’.
Charles Leclerc drops to P8 after getting a 20-second penalty!
The Ferrari driver left the track on several occasions without a justifiable reason.
Leclerc was fighting Oscar Piastri for P3 when he spun into the wall on the final lap. He cut several corners on his way to the finish line, coming home in sixth behind George Russell and Max Verstappen.
Leclerc’s penalty dropped him behind Lewis Hamilton and Franco Colapinto to P8. But after seeing his onboard footage, fans could not believe that he was penalised.
Fans baffled by Charles Leclerc being penalised after damaging his car in Miami Grand Prix
Hamilton was shocked by Leclerc’s result as he had been leading in the early stages. Ferrari ended up coming away with just 12 points, but many people on social media could not believe the Monegasque driver’s penalty.
His onboard footage showed that his suspension was clearly broken and was unable to turn the car properly. Fans on X (formerly Twitter) believe that this was justifiable enough to leave the track as many times as he did.
“Crazy, turning the steering wheel and the car not turning is a non-justifiable reason? Wild,” said one user. Another said: “Without a justifiable reason” Leclerc with his steering wheel fully turned to the right yet the car not turning right due to damage.”
“20 Second Penalty for leaving the track and gaining a disadvantage is mad,” commented one fan. Echoed another: “Suspension and steering was clearly broken due to the spin and wall hit. That is not enough reason?”
“I mean having a broken suspension and being unable to properly turn would make for a good reason but that’s just me,” wrote another. “No suspension isnt a justifiable reason?” another questioned.
READ MORE: Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend
Charles Leclerc admits responsibility for last-lap mistake in Miami Grand Prix
It was a race to forget for Leclerc and Ferrari as points were left on the table. A poor strategy decision cost the Monegasque driver a possible podium or even a win.
Damon Hill was ‘flabbergasted’ by Leclerc’s strategy and how Ferrari clearly did not consult him with the decision to pit him early.
What would you rate the Miami Grand Prix out of 10?
In a Ferrari statement after the race, Leclerc admitted responsibility for the spin at the end of the race: “The start and race overall went well and we were fighting for the podium.
“At the end, unfortunately, I made a mistake that cost me several positions. That’s on me and I will make sure I don’t repeat it again. We will take the time we have in this short break before our next race in Canada to review and take some steps forward.”
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