After a Mexico GP full of twists and turns, Charles Leclerc sparked fresh controversy by dropping the “F word” in the middle of a post-race press conference.
An incident echoing that of Max Verstappen just a few weeks earlier. But this time, no penalty for the Ferrari driver. So, we might wonder: is F1 consistent in managing its penalties?
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What happened at the press conference?
During one of the final laps of the Mexican Grand Prix, in the thick of a battle with Lando Norris, Leclerc almost sent his Ferrari into the wall at the last corner. “I lost the rear, and then you forget about Lando and just hope you’ll get it back. I had an oversteer, and when I recovered from that, I had oversteer on the other side and thought, ‘f**k,” Leclerc stated in the post-race press conference. He immediately realized his slip-up, adding a humorous touch with, “Oh no, I don’t want to join Max!” This ironic comment referred to the penalty Verstappen received for the exact same word in Singapore, which cost him public reprimand and community service hours. Yet this time, no penalty for Leclerc, raising questions about fair treatment among drivers.
Are the stewards playing favorites?
This difference in treatment obviously fuels a new controversy. The stewards present in Singapore and Mexico, including Johnny Herbert, seem to apply different standards based on situations and drivers. For Verstappen’s incident, they deemed an educational penalty necessary, but for Leclerc, nothing was done. The word used was the same, though its meaning may differ. This decision raises eyebrows: the stewards, meant to ensure fair and consistent rules, send an ambiguous message to the F1 world. Herbert, who had previously expressed concerns about drivers’ behavior in press conferences, did not apply the same level of strictness to Leclerc as he did with Verstappen. Is this favoritism or a shift in policy?
A rulebook lacking consistency
This situation highlights a sensitive issue: the lack of consistency in enforcing rules. Some observers feel F1 needs to clarify its expectations of drivers, especially in media interactions, to prevent incidents like this. There’s a real risk of arbitrary decisions, and a clear set of guidelines is becoming essential. If Verstappen was penalized for swearing in a press conference, why not Leclerc? Fans and drivers alike are calling for a clarification of the regulations to avoid perceptions of favoritism and ensure fair treatment. Especially in an already tense context with contested on-track penalties. It’s reminiscent of the inconsistent handling of Verstappen’s driving over the last two GPs. He’s either hit with a outstanding 20-second penalty or walks away without any consequences.
Ferrari made a huge mistake and it’s Carlos Sainz who’s going to pay the price
This article explores the reactions surrounding Leclerc’s comments during the press conference after the 2024 Mexico GP and the differences in treatment compared to Verstappen. The controversy sheds light on the stewards’ practices and raises the question of consistent rule enforcement in F1.
Source: FIA Press Conference post Mexico GP
Featured image: Red Bull Content Pool
