until Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League

Formula 1

Italian GP suspended after big Leclerc crash

by Matt Beer
1 min read

The Italian Grand Prix has been red-flagged just before half-distance following a huge crash for Charles Leclerc, at a time when leader Lewis Hamilton has just received a penalty.

Leclerc lost control of his Ferrari halfway around the Parabolica on the first lap of racing after a restart from a safety car period caused by Kevin Magnussen parking his Haas just before the pit entry.

The Ferrari slewed across the run-off at high speed and had a heavy impact with the tyre barriers, which now need reconstructing. Leclerc was able to get out of the car unhurt.

Hamilton had been dominating the race up to the safety car period, having got away cleanly in the lead while Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas was shuffled down to sixth on the first lap.

But Hamilton was then one of two drivers to pit when the safety car was called for Magnussen, despite a race control message saying the pits were closed.

Both Hamilton and Antonio Giovinazzi have been given 10s stop/go penalties for that offence.

Hamilton officially leads the race ahead of Lance Stroll, who is yet to pit, then Pierre Gasly and Kimi Raikkonen – who both benefited from stopping early then being thrust up the order when others pitted under the safety car – followed by Giovinazzi.

Early second and third place runners Carlos Sainz Jr and Lando Norris are now back in sixth and seventh, with Bottas eighth and slow-starter Max Verstappen 11th.

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