Sakhir Grand Prix

Leclerc handed three-place grid drop for Abu Dhabi for causing lap one collision

Leclerc put himself and Verstappen out of the Sakhir Grand Prix on lap one

Ewan Gale

Sunday 6 December 2020 20:56

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has been given a three-place grid penalty for the season finale in Abu Dhabi next week after being deemed to have caused the collision that finished both his and Max Verstappen's race.

Leclerc lunged down the inside at turn four on lap one, making contact with eventual race winner Sergio Perez and forcing Verstappen wide into the gravel and ultimately the barrier.

The Monegasque conceded he was to blame for the incident during his interview mid-race - an interview conducted ahead of the stewards hearing - which is a view the stewards have concurred with.

Article continues under video

In their report, the race stewards concluded: "The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 16 (Charles Leclerc), team representatives and have reviewed multiple angles of video evidence.

Car 16 braked too late into Turn 4, locking the front right wheel and colliding with Car 11 which was taking the normal racing line into the corner."

As the race continued without him, Leclerc conceded: "I don’t think it’s a mistake from Checo, I am not putting the blame on Checo, if there’s anybody to blame today it’s me, but I would say it’s more unfortunate than a blame.”

Leclerc has also had two penalty points added to his license, taking his total for the 12-month period to three.

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Australian Grand Prix EIGHT-CAR pileup sends F1 and FIA a major Melbourne warning

1 hour ago

Adrian Newey's worst ever F1 car (isn't an Aston Martin) - plus the best terrible car in history

2 hours ago

F1 Engine Compression Ratio - What is it and why is it so controversial?

2 hours ago

FIA announce Red Bull curfew breach at Australian Grand Prix

3 hours ago

Huge crash causes major delay at Australian Grand Prix

Today 10:55

FIA announce late Mercedes penalty verdict after front row lockout at Australian Grand Prix