Ferrari’s home race at Monza turned into a nightmare just two laps in when Charles Leclerc slammed into the wall at the Parabolica, sending the Italian Grand Prix into an immediate red flag. The Monegasque driver lost control of his Ferrari, skidded through the gravel, and hit the tire barrier with a force later measured at 60G.
Leclerc climbed out of the wreckage looking winded but walked away on his own, according to race officials. The crash came after a tense opening lap where teammate Lewis Hamilton radioed that Leclerc had pushed him off track, dropping Hamilton to 10th place. The FIA noted the incident but sources say no action is expected given the crash.
The red flag stopped the race just as Pierre Gasly, who started from a shock pole position, was battling for second. George Russell had already passed Gasly on the first lap, putting the Mercedes driver in the lead. Meanwhile, championship leader Kimi Antonelli started from the back due to an engine penalty but had climbed to 12th before the halt.
The restart was set as a standing start with Russell on pole and Gasly alongside. Franco Colapinto moved up to fourth after passing Oscar Piastri just before the red flag waved. Ferrari now has only Hamilton left to fight for points, adding pressure after a frustrating few weeks between the two drivers.
With Leclerc out and Hamilton starting the restart in eighth, can Ferrari salvage anything from their home race?
