Leclerc skips Brazilian GP media day after daughter Bianca's birth, arrives for FP2

Charles Leclerc will miss Thursday’s media day at the Brazilian Grand Prix in São Paulo after he and his wife Alexandra welcomed their daughter, Bianca, earlier this week. Ferrari confirmed the absence is an approved exemption under the regulations, which normally make drivers’ Thursday media commitments mandatory.

“Charles has been exempt of attending media activities today in São Paulo, following the birth of his daughter,” Ferrari posted on social media. The team added that Leclerc will arrive at the circuit in time for the rest of the weekend: “He will resume regular track activities from tomorrow morning.”

Because Leclerc was already scheduled to sit out the first practice session as part of Formula 1’s mandatory rookie running programme, his first time on track this weekend will be FP2. Dino Beganovic will take the wheel for FP1 in what will be his third such outing of the 2026 season. Ferrari had originally planned to give that session to Rafael Camara, but those plans changed after Haas announced Camara would replace Esteban Ocon for the remainder of the campaign.

With four rounds left in the 2026 season, the constructors’ and drivers’ battles below the top step remain unresolved. Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli sealed his maiden drivers’ championship at the Mexican Grand Prix, but the fight for second in the standings is tight. Leclerc sits fifth, just 16 points behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in second place.

The Brazilian Grand Prix takes place at Interlagos on Sunday, 8 November.