Charles Leclerc Slapped with Grid Penalty for Blocking Lando Norris in Monaco GP Qualifying

Author: Deborah Ross  /  2023-05-28 15:14:34

Charles Leclerc has been slapped with a three-place grid penalty for obstructing Lando Norris in Monaco GP qualifying. This setback adds to Leclerc's woes at his home event, where misfortune and errors have haunted him before. As a result, Leclerc will start from sixth position, with Esteban Ocon and Carlos Sainz seizing the opportunity to advance to the second row, while Lewis Hamilton slides down to fifth. Norris, who encountered a brush with the barriers earlier, remains in the tenth spot.

During the critical Q3 session, Norris found himself hindered by Leclerc in the treacherous tunnel section. Norris wasted no time expressing his conviction that Leclerc's actions would not go unpunished. And sure enough, the stewards rendered their verdict, revealing a dramatic three-grid drop for Leclerc.


The stewards' investigation shed light on the circumstances surrounding the incident. While both drivers acknowledged the challenging conditions in the tunnel - where light played tricks and the racing line shifted- it was discovered that Leclerc's team failed to alert him to Norris' approach until it was too late. The stewards, delving into past cases of unnecessary obstruction, found no justifiable excuse for the team's oversight. Consequently, they imposed the customary three-place penalty.

As the Monaco Grand Prix unfolds, the pressure mounts for Leclerc, who must overcome this latest setback. Will he rise above adversity and salvage his performance in front of his home crowd?

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