Leclerc faces health checks after high-speed Monza crash raises Madrid fitness doubt

Charles Leclerc is awaiting the results of additional medical checks after crashing heavily at the Parabolica during the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, leaving his participation in Formula 1’s Madrid round next weekend uncertain.

The Ferrari driver lost control of his SF-26 at high speed on the exit of the Parabolica at the end of lap two, striking the wall with enough force to bring out a red flag. Leclerc was taken to the medical centre and released without any detected injuries, but he was candid about lingering concerns.

“The neck was OK, it was just the vision a little bit at first,” Leclerc said. “The right eye was not showing me great vision, but now it’s all good, so that’s the thing I was most worried of getting off the car. Then after that everything, a bit of pain here and there, which is normal after a crash like this, so nothing more.”

Despite the relatively reassuring initial assessment, the 28-year-old confirmed he is not yet giving himself a clean bill of health. “I think I’ll have quite a few additional checks that we still have to do on my side, probably tonight and tomorrow, to make sure that I’ll be fully fine for Madrid,” he said. “It should be the case, but better be safe than sorry.”

On the cause of the crash, Leclerc pointed to “a difference in power delivery” but was careful to reserve judgement until he had reviewed the data. The incident adds to what has been a difficult weekend for the Monegasque, who made no attempt to hide his frustration.

“Yeah, it’s very frustrating, but it’s the way it is now, I cannot change the results,” he said. “I’ll have to look forward and hopefully bounce back in Madrid.”