Charles Leclerc has escaped punishment, but his Ferrari team have been handed a severe fine by the FIA stewards following his second practice pit-lane crash with Lando Norris in Singapore.
Leclerc was unsafely released from the Ferrari garage and crashed into Norris in the pit lane, sending the McLaren driver into the pit wall.
Norris suffered front wing damage from the unexpected clash, which has landed Ferrari, rather than Leclerc in trouble.
The incident itself took place ahead of FP2 resuming for a second time, following a red flag period after Liam Lawson slammed into the wall on the exit of Turn 17.
With an earlier stoppage having taken place due to George Russell crashing at Turn 16, the teams were eager to get their drivers back out onto the circuit.
It caused a flurry of action in the pit lane, to which Ferrari made the costly mistake.
Following a summons, the stewards have handed Ferrari a sizeable fine of €10,000 for the unsafe release, with the full verdict available to read below.
Stewards verdict on Charles Leclerc unsafe release
The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 16 (LEC), team representatives and reviewed video and in-car video evidence.
After a red flag period, several cars exited their garages. Car 16 (LEC) was initially instructed by a team member to leave his pit box. At that moment however, it was overlooked that car 4 (NOR) was already passing in the fast lane, approaching the Ferrari pit box and directly into the path of LEC.
The team member, who was responsible for the safe conduct of releasing car 16, misjudged the situation and gave unclear instructions to LEC, who could not see NOR’s car.
As a result, both cars collided in the fast lane.
Having noted precedents for this type of breach, the Stewards are of the view that this breach warrants a more severe penalty than previously applied hence the penalty above is imposed.
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