Leclerc gets grid penalty for impeding McLaren's Norris

Charles Leclerc, the Monegasque driver of Ferrari, competes on May 27, 2023 during a qualifying session of the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix at the Monaco street circuit in Monaco. PHOTO AFP MONACO - Ferrari's Charles Leclerc was given a three-place grid drop for his home Monaco Grand Prix because he impeding McLaren's Lando Norris in qualifying on Saturday, meaning he will start sixth instead of third.

The penalty also means that Esteban Ocon moves up to third and Carlos Sainz, Ferrari's driver, will start fourth.

Lewis Hamilton, who has won seven Formula One titles, will start fifth on the grid.

The stewards said that Norris was on a fast lap and caught Leclerc in the middle of the tunnel and was clearly impeded.

Both drivers said there were little that Leclerc could have safely done in the tunnel in order to avoid impeding Norris.

The Stewards observed that Leclerc reacted in a sensible way to a blue flag displayed by the marshals, but at this point it was too late. The stewards, however, said Ferrari had not warned Leclerc about Norris' approach until the Briton was already directly behind.

Leclerc: Ferrari'struggling like crazy' with their car.

The Stewards believe that there is much that Leclerc could have done before the tunnel to avoid the impeding, if he received warning from the team at an appropriate time.

The Stewards consider that the impeding was unnecessary.