– Before the Monaco Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris are summoned to the FIA stewards. The reason? Both were late for the official press conference.
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According to the FIA, Leclerc and Norris explicitly violated Article B10.1.1a. This article defines that six drivers must appear at the official press conference of the International Automobile Federation.
Those drivers who are not called for this appointment must instead participate in press rounds organized by the teams.
The press conference with Leclerc, Norris, and Audi driver Gabriel Bortoleto was scheduled for 2:30 PM. Due to the two late drivers, the start was delayed by a few minutes. In the other group, Max Verstappen, Esteban Ocon, and Alexander Albon spoke about the Monaco Grand Prix.
In fact, this is not the first investigation surrounding the official press conference. In 2024, Leclerc had to pay a fine of around 10,000 Euros after a “fuck” slipped out. For a similar offense in Azerbaijan, Verstappen was sentenced to community service.
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At the same time, Verstappen was not penalized for being late to a press conference in Austria. The team had warned the FIA in advance, as the then-reigning world champion had been stuck in traffic.
Over the years, the official press conferences on Formula 1 weekends have changed significantly. Previously, a group of six people would be seated together on a stage, where they would then be confronted with questions from the world press.
In this environment, numerous legendary scenes occurred, such as the verbal duel between Ross Brawn and Patrick Head before the 2003 Italian Grand Prix. At that time, the Michelin tire and the protest filed against it by Bridgestone had caused a stir. Walter Koster’s famous “Gentlemen, a short view back to the past” also originated in this context.
Meanwhile, the rounds consist of two groups, with three drivers being interviewed in each. The hearing for the two “latecomers” is scheduled to take place on Friday morning before the first free practice session. However, fans of the two do not have to expect a grid penalty or similarly harsh measures.
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