Charles Leclerc’s Hungarian Grand Prix took another dramatic twist after the FIA stewards slapped the Ferrari driver with a five-second time penalty for driving erratically. The decision came mid-race after multiple incidents raised concerns over Leclerc’s car control during wheel-to-wheel battles at the Hungaroring.
The stewards’ notice, displayed on the broadcast feed, confirmed the sanction, citing violations of Article 33.4 of the FIA Sporting Regulations, which demands that drivers maintain consistent and predictable behavior on track to avoid endangering competitors. According to the report, Leclerc’s car weaved unpredictably under braking and changed direction more than once while defending, forcing rivals to take evasive action.
This penalty compounded an already challenging afternoon for Leclerc. Starting from a competitive grid position, the Monegasque struggled with tire degradation and handling issues throughout the race. His radio messages earlier in the stint reflected growing frustration, as he complained about the car’s instability in the corners—a problem that may have contributed to the erratic movements observed by the FIA.
Adding five seconds to Leclerc’s total race time significantly altered his finishing position, costing him valuable points in both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships. Ferrari, already under intense pressure for a season marred by strategy missteps and reliability setbacks, faces fresh criticism for their inability to give their lead driver a consistent, competitive package.
In a post-race statement, Leclerc offered a restrained response: “The car was difficult to manage, but I accept the decision. It wasn’t intentional—just trying to keep the position in a very tricky situation.” With the season entering a critical phase, Ferrari must quickly address both performance and compliance issues if they hope to salvage their campaign and keep Leclerc in the championship fight.
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