Ferrari Confirms Charles Leclerc Out for Second Canada Practice

Charles Leclerc will sit out the second free practice session at the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix after a crash during FP1 at Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur confirmed late on June 13 that a chassis change for Leclerc’s SF-25 was needed following damage from the earlier incident, preventing repairs and FIA approval in time for FP2.

The crash occurred about 15 minutes into the first session with Leclerc topping the timesheets. He locked up his brakes entering Turn 3, hit the wall with the right front and rear of his Ferrari, and slid across the track before stopping at the exit of Turn 4.

The incident caused a red flag and paused the session while marshals recovered the car and cleared debris.

Leclerc, currently 27 years old, holds fifth in the driver standings for the 2025 season with 94 points. His crash comes during a challenging time for Ferrari, as they aim to close the gap with leaders McLaren and maintain position ahead of Red Bull and Mercedes.

With Lewis Hamilton now racing for Ferrari, the team sits second in the constructor standings with 165 points. Meanwhile, McLaren drivers have accumulated a combined 362 points so far. More details on Ferrari’s current lineup with Hamilton can be read here.

Max Verstappen, racing for Red Bull, ended FP1 as the fastest driver, increasing pressure on Ferrari and other teams. Leclerc’s absence from FP2 will limit Ferrari’s ability to test new setups and gather data under changing track conditions, potentially impacting their race weekend strategy. Verstappen’s ongoing rivalry and incidents add to the competitive intensity, as discussed here.

The Canadian Grand Prix at the historic Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is scheduled for June 15 and is the ninth race of the 2025 Formula 1 season. The calendar continues with the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring on June 29.

With plenty of points still available, drivers and teams will strive to maximize their performance in Montreal despite setbacks.

Leclerc’s accident highlights the fine margins in Formula 1, where even a small mistake can have major consequences for drivers and teams. Ferrari mechanics will focus on ensuring the car is safe and ready for the next session.

Fans and analysts will watch closely to see how Leclerc responds and whether Ferrari can recover lost ground over the weekend.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.