F1, Charles Leclerc fourth and fined after free practice 2 in Montreal: the reason why

Fourth and fined, for a regulatory technicality as precise as it is impossible to avoid.

Charles Leclerc fourth in Montreal at the end of a second free practice session heavily affected by rain. The Monegasque driver ranked his Ferrari behind Fernando Alonso, first in an Aston Martin, and also George Russell and Lance Stroll. The first day on track toward the Canadian Grand Prix, however, did not è end like that for him.

At the end of the day, in fact, Leclerc and Ferrari were fined for the behavior adopted by the winner of the recent Monaco Grand Prix. The reason è was precisely the rain, which prompted the Cavallino’s bearer to mount intermediate tires in the first minutes of FP2. When, però; the race direction still had not allowed it.

Article 30.5 l of the sporting regulations in this sense speaks clearly: Formula 1 drivers are not allowed to mount wet tires before the race direction does not declare precisely wet the session being played. And in Canada it had not happened yet, however much Leclerc’s decision was moved only by common sense. Rules però are rules, and Ferrari could do nothing to oppose it.

After FP2, heading into the Canadian Grand Prix, however, there are quite a few other pits where people are holding their breath. Starting with that of Red Bull, as Max Verstappen did not è go beyond 18th position due to engine problems (probably at the ERS). Conditioned by rain and traffic, however, was Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari: thirteenth.