Norris and Leclerc fined after arriving late to FIA press conference in Monaco

Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc have been fined for arriving late to the FIA’s Thursday press conference at the Monaco Grand Prix, with McLaren and Ferrari each handed a €5,000 penalty, suspended for 12 months.

The two drivers were summoned before the stewards on Friday morning to explain themselves. Both stated they had been “delayed at a previous commitment,” but the stewards ruled that this did not constitute sufficient mitigation. The breach falls under Article B10.1.1a of the FIA F1 regulations and Articles 12.2.1.i and 12.2.1.p of the FIA International Sporting Code, which govern media obligations and official ceremonies for all competitors.

The FIA selects six drivers to appear at its Thursday press conference, which typically takes place after lunch and is divided into two half-hour sections of three drivers each. Because the session is televised live, punctuality is a formal requirement rather than a courtesy. Under Article 9.15.1 of the FIA’s International Sporting Code, teams are held responsible for their drivers’ compliance, meaning McLaren and Ferrari bear the financial liability.

While a late arrival to a press conference sits at the lower end of the FIA’s penalty scale, it is not without precedent for drivers to escape punishment entirely. At the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen was also late to the Thursday conference due to heavy traffic, but avoided a fine because his team had notified the FIA in advance — a step neither McLaren nor Ferrari appear to have taken in Monaco.

The offence is considered less serious than missing the pre-race national anthem. At last season’s Japanese Grand Prix, Carlos Sainz was fined €20,000 — reduced from the standard €60,000 tariff — after arriving five seconds late to the grid ceremony due to what was described as an emergency call of nature.

The suspended nature of the Monaco fines means both teams avoid an immediate financial hit, but any repeat infringement within the next 12 months could see the penalties activated.