‘Slightly unwell’ Leclerc set to take part in sprint
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc walking through the Monza paddock. Italy September 2021
Charles Leclerc was under medical supervision after feeling ill during FP2 in Monza, but now looks set to compete in sprint qualifying.
The first day of running during the Italian Grand Prix race weekend wasn’t ideal for Leclerc as, while he made it to Q3 and qualified P8, he encountered some issues with his car that he felt held him back.
Given that, he would have been hoping to get some good mileage in on Saturday morning in Fp2, but he ultimately had to end his session early.
“I need to box. I cannot explain it here,” the Monegasque said on the team radio before the official end of running.
Afterwards, Ferrari clarified that he had started feeling “slightly unwell” and soon after that, he was taken to the medical centre.
He spent some with the doctors there before returning to the garage again.
An update from @tgruener (#AMuS) regarding Charles: "He was checked at the medical center but now he is back in the garage."
— tami. (@Vetteleclerc) September 11, 2021
His illness means that both Ferrari drivers spent some time with the medics on Saturday morning, with Carlos Sainz also doing so following his crash in FP2.
After losing control at the Chicane, the Spaniard went nose-first into the barriers, hugely damaging the front of his car and hurting himself in the process.
He was given the all-clear though and will be able to compete in sprint qualifying if his car is repaired, but that’s a big if.
A heavy crash ended Carlos Sainz's FP2 session#ItalianGP 🇮🇹 #F1 pic.twitter.com/AsGyYx95md
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 11, 2021
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Such issues couldn’t have come at a worse track for Ferarri, especially with the Tifosi back in the grandstands again this season.
In fact, Binotto thinks a good home race is as important as a good season for the Scuderia.
“What does it mean? Certainly a lot,” said the Ferrari team boss.
“It’s the home grand prix, the Italian Grand Prix, it’s the circuit where power, speed, is the most important.
“So as well as I would say, as a past engine engineer, it certainly has been very important.
“So, certainly here, you know that you can feel the passion of the Tifosi.
“It’s a circuit where for Ferrari doing well is almost as important as the rest of the championship.
“But yes, I think it’s great to be here in Monza. It’s great to be here with fans in the grandstands. It’s important for us having the tifosi supporting us. That’s something which is key.
“So, it’s really something important and great.”
