Leclerc fined for swearing during Mexico City GP press conference

Charles Leclerc has been fined €10,000, half of which is suspended, for cursing during the post-race FIA press conference at last weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix.

The Ferrari driver was in the process of explaining his race to the media when he addressed the incident that saw him run off the track and relinquish second place to McLaren’s Lando Norris.

While recounting the hairy moment, Leclerc used the F-word to describe his reaction as he fought to avoid crashing into the wall.

"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***'," Leclerc said.

Realizing the potential consequences of his language, he quickly followed up with a laugh, saying, “Oh, sorry! Oh no, I don’t want to join Max,” referencing Max Verstappen’s own sanction for a similar lapse during the Singapore Grand Prix.

In that case, the Dutchman was hit with a community service punishment, underscoring the FIA’s no-nonsense stance on driver behavior in public forums.

Leclerc on the other hand was let off the hook with a mere financial penalty, in large part thanks to apologizing immediately for his slip-of-the-tongue.

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In its ruling, the FIA also suggested that the severity of Leclerc’s discourse did not match Verstappen’s previous offense.

“The Stewards reviewed the transcript of the Post-Race Drivers’ Press Conference in Mexico and found that Charles Leclerc, the driver of car 16, used language in response to a somewhat leading question asking him ‘What did you say to yourself’ in relation to the significant moment towards the end of the race when Leclerc was fighting to control the car at the exit of the last corner,” the Stewards stated.

“In response, Leclerc used coarse language being the accurate recollection of what he thought to himself at the time. Leclerc immediately realized his error and apologized. Such language is not considered suitable for broadcast.

“This is ‘Misconduct’ as defined in Article 20 of the International Sporting Code, and is a breach of Article 12.2.1.k. The Stewards noted that the language was not directed at anyone or any group and that Leclerc immediately apologised.

“During the hearing Leclerc expressed his regret for his momentary lack of judgment and shared that he understood his responsibility as a role model for the sport. The Stewards considered the mitigation factor that Leclerc was immediately apologetic.

“The Stewards while noting that the driver’s contrite behavior conclude that a breach has occurred and a penalty is warranted. The Stewards do not consider that this breach reached the same level as the most recent case and as such chose to levy a fine of €10,000 with €5,000 suspended pending no repeat within 12 months.”

While Leclerc expressed remorse during the hearing with the stewards, accepting responsibility as a role model, the sanction highlights once again the FIA’s strict stance on the conduct expected of drivers in public settings.

In the end, the stewards differentiated Leclerc’s moment of frustration from Verstappen’s case, where the language and context had carried different implications.

The €5,000 suspended portion of Leclerc’s fine will remain in effect for 12 months, contingent on no repeat offenses.

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