Image Credits-Autosport
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Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc has been officially reprimanded by race stewards after failing to slow down adequately for yellow flags during Free Practice 3 at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The incident occurred when AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly went off into the Turn 2 escape road, prompting yellow flags to warn other drivers of the obstruction.
Leclerc, in the middle of a fast lap, appeared to accelerate past the incident without reducing his speed as required. While he complied with lifting briefly, the manner in which he sped past raised concerns with the stewards, who reviewed the telemetry data and footage.
The issue was deemed a violation of safety protocols, particularly since Gasly’s car was still in a vulnerable position, and visibility for Leclerc was limited. Despite the infraction, the Monegasque driver avoided a grid penalty and was issued a formal reprimand, his first of the season.
“While Leclerc didn’t fully adhere to the yellow flag rules, there was no malicious intent or severe breach of safety that would warrant a grid penalty,” the stewards noted in their report.
Leclerc addressed the reprimand, stating, “It was a tricky moment because I didn’t see Gasly’s car clearly, but I understand the decision. Safety is always a priority, and I’ll take more care in those situations.”
Ferrari will undoubtedly breathe a sigh of relief, as Leclerc’s avoidance of a penalty keeps him in contention for a strong qualifying result. With the fight for pole position expected to be extremely tight between Ferrari, Red Bull, and Mercedes, Leclerc will need to keep his focus sharp as the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend intensifies.