Charles Leclerc struck down by illness Ferrari F1 star skips Imola GP duties
Charles Leclerc is out of action for media day at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. The Ferrari ace has been struck down with an illness on the eve of one of the team's most anticipated home races of the 2025 season.
Leclerc had been due to speak with media on Thursday. However, a press release from Ferrari circulated on Thursday read: "Charles is feeling unwell and will not be coming to the track today. He will rest and focus on recovering, and we expect him to be in the car tomorrow."
Should Leclerc fail to recover for Friday's practice sessions, Ferrari might have to call in one of their substitute drivers. Zhou Guanyu and Antonio Giovinazzi are the officially nominated reserves for the team.
The Italians also have talented options like Charles' brother Arthur Leclerc, Antonio Fuoco, and Dino Beganovic ready to step up to the plate, though it is far more likely that Zhou or Giovinazzi would be give the nod.
Such an outcome would mean this is the second year in a row that Ferrari will be forced to turn to a reserve driver. Last season, at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, it was Oliver Bearman who filled in for an ailing Carlos Sainz, suffering from appendicitis.
The Brit impressed by scoring points on his debut, leading to a full-time seat at Haas for 2025. Bearman is highly rated by Ferrari chiefs and is seen as a potential success to Lewis Hamilton in the coming years.
Despite the setback, Leclerc remains determined to race at Imola this weekend. It is Ferrari's first home race of the season, meaning for team-mate Hamilton it is the first time he will race in front of the passionate Tifosi while wearing red.
Formula 1 fans can watch every practice, qualifying and race live with Sky's new Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle in a new deal that saves £192.
As well as Sky Sports access, this includes more than 100 TV channels and free subscriptions to Netflix and Discovery+.
It may also be the last time, for a while at least, that Ferrari can drive F1 cars at Imola. The circuit is out of contract at the end of this season and faces the prospect of losing its place on the calendar with space needed to be made for the new Madrid Grand Prix next year.
When Leclerc does get back behind the wheel, his focus will be on trying to salvage something from Ferrari's season. The Italian team is currently fourth in the constructors' championship standings, trailing leaders McLaren by a whopping 152 points already.
Both Leclerc and Hamilton have found it challenging to get the best out of the problematic SF-25, with the Monegasque driver's third-place finish at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix being the team's only trip to the podium so far this season.
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