Charles Leclerc and Lance Stroll are facing a stewards’ investigation following a crash during the first practice session (FP1) at Monaco, involving the two drivers. The incident happened when Leclerc’s Ferrari collided with the back of Stroll’s Aston Martin at Turn 6, leading to a red flag and early session disruption.
The crash occurred as Stroll re-entered the fast lane seemingly unaware of Leclerc’s approach, leaving the Ferrari driver no time to react. Leclerc, having already gone off track once, was attempting to complete more laps when the collision damaged the front wing of his car, forcing him to return to the pits with part of the wing lodged beneath the SF-25 chassis, possibly affecting the car’s floor.
Details on the Consequences of the FP1 Incident
While Leclerc managed to resume running shortly after the red flag was cleared, Stroll was unable to continue, remaining in the Aston Martin garage for repairs. Team communications revealed that Stroll was informed of Leclerc’s presence by race engineer Gary Gannon on the radio, but the Canadian driver reported not hearing the warning. Aston Martin later confirmed that Stroll’s session ended prematurely due to rear suspension damage and a required gearbox change following the collision.
The stewards promptly announced they would investigate the crash once the session finished, reflecting the seriousness of the incident. Among the two, Stroll appeared to suffer more from the collision, with his car requiring extensive work, while Leclerc was able to rejoin the track.
Implications and What to Expect Moving Forward
This crash between Lance Stroll and Charles Leclerc during FP1 highlights the challenges drivers face in tight and fast circuits like Monaco, where awareness and timing are crucial. The upcoming stewards’ decision will determine if any penalties will be applied based on the investigation. Given the impact on Aston Martin’s car, it could influence Stroll’s participation in the remainder of the weekend’s sessions, while Ferrari will need to assess any lingering damage to Leclerc’s SF-25.
