Leclerc misses media duties through illness ahead of Imola weekend

Charles Leclerc was forced to withdraw from his media duties on Thursday ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix due to illness, casting a shadow over Ferrari’s preparations for their first home race of the season.

Ferrari confirmed the Monegasque driver was unwell but expressed optimism that he would be fit to compete in Friday’s practice sessions at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola.

“Charles is feeling unwell and will not be coming to the track today,” a Ferrari statement read. “He will rest and focus on recovering and we expect him to be in the car tomorrow.”

Leclerc’s absence comes as Ferrari continue to struggle in the 2024 Formula One season. Despite the arrival of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, the team trail McLaren by 152 points in the constructors’ standings after six races. They have managed just one podium — Leclerc’s third-place finish in Saudi Arabia — and a single sprint win by Hamilton in China.

Now in his seventh year with Ferrari, Leclerc has eight career victories, 44 podiums, and 26 pole positions, but remains without a title, unable to consistently challenge Max Verstappen and Red Bull during F1’s ground-effect era.

(Source: AFP)