F1 News: Charles Leclerc Summoned For Potential Penalty After Qualifying Mishap

Charles Leclerc could face a penalty after impeding McLaren's Lando Norris.

Monaco Grand Prix qualifying offered its fair share of excitement, with an intriguing incident catching the attention of the FIA stewards. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, despite qualifying in P3, appears to be in hot water, being called upon by the stewards for potentially obstructing McLaren's Lando Norris, who will be starting his Sunday in P10 on the grid. 

As Leclerc prepared for a flying lap during a slow lap in Q3 at his home circuit, the situation took a turn. Norris, driving at a breakneck speed, approached Leclerc in the tunnel. The McLaren driver was subsequently forced to ease off the throttle to avoid hitting the gearbox of the Scuderia. After the session, the FIA confirmed the incident would be investigated, with Leclerc having finished third in the qualifying and Norris tenth.

Earlier, Norris had returned to the pit lane following damage to his McLaren in Q2. Thanks to his mechanics' prompt repair job on the MCL60, he was able to participate in Q3. Simultaneously, Leclerc was on the brink of securing pole position at Monaco for a third consecutive year. Unfortunately for him, the Monegasque was unable to beat Red Bull's Max Verstappen.

However, the Ferrari driver might be facing trouble. If found guilty of obstructing Norris, Leclerc could be in for a penalty. Both Leclerc and Norris are scheduled to meet the stewards at 18:00 local time in Monaco [17:00 UK] to discuss the incident.

Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing clinched the limelight in the same session. He managed to overturn a deficit from the initial two sectors to secure the pole position, edging out Fernando Alonso narrowly who will now start in P2. This feat takes special significance as the Monaco Grand Prix qualifying is arguably the most crucial of the year.