Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc Withdraws from F1 Imola GP Media Duties Amid Illness

Ferrari has announced that Charles Leclerc will miss his scheduled media duties for the 2025 Formula 1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola as he recovers from illness. The team shared the update on Thursday, May 15, just before the start of its key home event.

According to Ferrari’s statement, Leclerc felt unwell and is resting away from the track, with expectations he will be back behind the wheel for the first practice session on Friday morning. Leclerc, who was not included in the Thursday FIA press conference lineup, had planned to speak with reporters in the paddock ahead of Friday’s sessions.

Ferrari stopped short of providing specific details about the driver’s condition or the exact nature of the illness. However, the message was clear that Leclerc’s main focus is on recuperation so he can take part in this weekend’s action.

This development means his first appearance at Imola will be Friday, just as Ferrari begins its home race weekend in front of passionate Italian fans. The 2025 Emilia Romagna GP is considered a significant weekend for Ferrari, and the team is looking for better results than it managed in Miami earlier this month.

Ferrari believes the Imola circuit offers characteristics that are much more suited to the SF-25, in contrast to the Miami layout. For more details on the technical aspects of Formula 1 circuits, you can explore the FIA’s official circuit database. The team is also introducing its first package of updates for the year at this event.

These changes are not expected to be major, but they are intended as a foundation for a larger update coming at the Spanish Grand Prix later in May. Leclerc missing the Thursday media build-up isn’t unprecedented in Formula 1 this year.

Earlier in the season, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen opted out of press duties in Miami as he spent time with his partner and their newborn daughter. Incidents like these highlight how teams must sometimes balance racing responsibilities with personal wellbeing and family commitments, even amid a packed and demanding calendar. For further insights into the challenges faced by F1 drivers, check out this article from the International Journal of Sports Science.

Charles Leclerc, age 27, has already claimed multiple wins for Ferrari since joining the team in 2019. His performances at home races, especially at venues like Imola and Monza, are always awaited with high expectations. To learn more about Leclerc’s career and achievements, visit his official F1 driver profile.

Ferrari fans will be eager to see if he can recover in time and capitalize on the potential of the latest upgrades brought to this iconic Italian circuit. Practice at Imola is set to begin on Friday morning, with Leclerc scheduled to return to the paddock alongside teammate Carlos Sainz.

All eyes will be on Ferrari to see whether these new technical developments and the return of their star driver can shift momentum in their favor at such a pivotal moment in the 2025 F1 season. The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix continues through the weekend, with qualifying scheduled for Saturday and the race taking place on Sunday afternoon.

Ferrari supporters will be watching Leclerc’s health closely as the team aims to make strong progress on their home turf. For updates on the race weekend, you can follow the official Formula 1 schedule and news.

Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.