On June 13, 2025, Charles Leclerc’s first practice session at the Canadian Grand Prix ended abruptly at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal after a crash during FP1. The incident caused significant damage to his Ferrari SF-25, forcing the Monegasque driver to miss FP2, as confirmed by Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur.
Leclerc’s misfortune unfolded less than 15 minutes into the session on Friday, as he lost control at turn 4 while running on fresh soft tires. Locking up the brakes, he slid off the track and his car’s left rear tire hit the wall, causing a spin and prompting a red flag for the marshals to clear the debris.
Details of the Incident and Immediate Aftermath
After the crash, Leclerc managed to deactivate his car safely and exited without injury, but the damage to the SF-25 was extensive. A crane was required to remove the vehicle from the gravel, delaying the session’s continuation. Despite the red flag and cleanup efforts, Leclerc did not return to the track for the remainder of FP1.
Fred Vasseur later explained that the damage included the chassis, requiring thorough checks and repairs that would take considerable time. With the weekend’s program packed, this meant Leclerc was unlikely to participate in FP2, scheduled on the same day.
Leclerc now faces a tight timeline, with only one additional practice session remaining before qualifying on June 14. Ferrari’s engineering team must work quickly overnight to prepare his car for the next stages of the race weekend.
Leclerc Admits Responsibility for His Crash in FP1
Charles Leclerc openly took responsibility for the crash during the session, acknowledging his error on team radio shortly after the impact.
“I’m in the wall. Yeah, my bad. I should’ve gone straight. I thought I would just make it, but I clipped the wall,” —Charles Leclerc, Ferrari driver
This admission highlights the frustration and pressure Leclerc faces as he attempts to recover lost track time and maintain competitiveness despite the setback at a circuit where he has previously struggled.
Context and Potential Consequences for Leclerc’s Weekend
Behind Leclerc on track at the time of the crash was Liam Lawson from Racing Bulls, who slowed down to safely avoid further incidents after the Ferrari spun back onto the circuit. This moment spared what could have been a multi-car collision amid the chaotic scene.
Leclerc’s crash has jeopardized his preparation for the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix by limiting track time essential for setup and performance optimization. Should Ferrari engineers fail to complete the necessary repairs promptly, Leclerc’s ability to compete effectively in qualifying and the race may be compromised.
The incident underscores the challenges drivers face at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, where precision is crucial, and errors can be costly both in terms of session time lost and championship implications.
