F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Binotto still upset over Leclerc skydiving stunt

Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto still hasn't forgiven Charles Leclerc for the Monegasque's skydiving antics in which he indulged in Dubai last December.

Leclerc had wrapped up his season with the Scuderia in Abu Dhabi when he enjoyed a few days of leisure in the area.

The free time prompted the 22-year-old took to undertake a skydiving initiation, which Binotto only found out about when Leclerc posted a picture of himself on social media flying through the blue!

The two-time Grand Prix winner later justified his omitting to inform Ferrari, insisting with irrefutable logic that if something had gone wrong, he wouldn't have been there to be told off!

Speaking recently on the RAI 1's 'Che tempo che fa' programme, an unforgiving Binotto brought up the subject of Leclerc's daring jump when talking about his drivers and the 2020 season.

"Our drivers are the best duo in Formula 1. Seb is a four-time world champion, he doesn't need to be introduced.

"Charles is a young man born in our academy and it is the first time that an FDA driver has come to Ferrari.

"The hope is that there are others that will follow him. He won a race like Monza in his second season in F1, which was a big achievement.

"But they also make us suffer a little bit at times. Charles jumped off with a parachute and said nothing to anyone. Forgiven? No. He said he will never do it again and I hope he understood it."

Capisce Charles?

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

Recent Posts

Norris: More F1 titles possible – but peace already secured

For Lando Norris, the number “1” is no longer an aspiration painted in imagination –…

12 hours ago

Cadillac buoyed by ‘strong team spirit’ ahead of F1 debut

Cadillac’s long-awaited arrival on the Formula 1 grid is no longer a distant promise –…

14 hours ago

Vowles notes Ferrari’s consistency, but questions SF-26 pace

Williams team boss James Vowles may not have had a car circulating at last week’s…

15 hours ago

McLaren unleash its IndyCar trio of 2026 contenders

Arrow McLaren has pulled the covers off its 2026 NTT IndyCar Series trio, unveiling all…

17 hours ago

The last of Grand Prix racing's privateers

Turning 70 on this day is Hector Rebaque, who was Mexico's last F1 driver for…

17 hours ago

Papaya rules reset: Piastri explains McLaren’s 2026 plan

Oscar Piastri has made one thing crystal clear ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 campaign:…

18 hours ago