The Formula 1 Monaco GP hasn’t even started on track yet, but Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc already have appointments with the FIA stewards. The two drivers were summoned after arriving late to the press conference held this Thursday (04) in the Principality.
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The situation occurred before the official weekend activities and caused a small delay in the event’s schedule. As a consequence, both will need to provide explanations to the stewards on Friday morning.
Norris and Leclerc were part of the first group of drivers scheduled for the press conference. While Gabriel Bortoleto arrived on time, the current champion and the Ferrari driver presented themselves after the established time.
Due to the delay of the two competitors, the press conference could not start at the scheduled time of 14:30 local time. The session began one minute late, a fact that prompted the FIA to open the procedure.
The schedule released for Friday anticipates that Leclerc will appear before the stewards at 10:00 local time. Shortly after, at 10:10, it will be Norris’s turn to provide his explanations about the incident.
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Leclerc was also in the spotlight due to the new contract signed with Ferrari, announced on Wednesday before the Monaco GP. The Monegasque stated that he never had doubts about staying with the Italian team.
“It was very clear. I love the team. I think that’s quite obvious to anyone looking from the outside. I’ve been with the Formula 1 team for eight years and with Ferrari as a whole for ten years. They were some of the first people who believed in me and helped me get to where I am today. Above all, I believe in the project,” said the Monegasque.
The driver also highlighted the importance of the Scuderia’s boss, Fred Vasseur, in his decision: “We have a very good relationship and I strongly believe that he is the person capable of taking Ferrari back to the top. We know where we are losing performance, probably more on the engine side. We have a plan in place and we hope that will help us get back to where we want to be. I love this team and I believe in the project, which is why we are continuing together,” Leclerc concluded.
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