Leclerc hit with 20-second penalty after Miami meltdown

Charles Leclerc’s bruising Miami Grand Prix has taken another dramatic twist, with the Ferrari driver slapped with a 20-second post-race penalty that further compounds his late-race collapse.

Already reeling from a costly final-lap spin that wiped out a near-certain podium, Leclerc has now been officially punished by the stewards for his actions in the chaotic closing moments of the race.

Leclerc’s race unravelled in spectacular fashion when he lost control at high speed and spun, narrowly avoiding a major accident but clipping the wall at Turn 3. The impact left his Ferrari with front-left damage, severely compromising his ability to control the car.

What followed was a desperate attempt to salvage position – but one that quickly drew the attention of race officials.

Struggling with steering damage, Leclerc cut multiple corners in his effort to stay ahead, while also forcing his way past lapped traffic, including Arvid Lindblad. In the melee, he also made minor contact with George Russell at the hairpin.

The stewards launched an investigation into both the contact and Leclerc’s repeated track-limit breaches.

Penalty seals painful drop

The verdict was decisive. Leclerc was deemed to have left the track and gained an advantage – an offence that carries a drive-through penalty. With the race already finished, that sanction was converted into a 20-second time penalty added to his final result.

The punishment drops Leclerc down to eighth in the final classification, turning what had already been a frustrating result into a damaging blow in the championship fight.

The ruling also reshuffles the order behind him. Lewis Hamilton gains a position for Ferrari, while Franco Colapinto secures a career-best Grand Prix finish after an impressive drive for Alpine.

For Leclerc, the Miami weekend ends in the harshest possible fashion – a race that slipped away on track, and one that continued to unravel long after the chequered flag.

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