Formula 1
Charles Leclerc Fires Back at “Vocal” George Russell After Hungarian GP F1 Penalty Drama
The sparks are flying off-track as well as on, after Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc took a thinly-veiled swipe at Mercedes driver George Russell over his “vocal” team radio complaints, which contributed to Leclerc’s double penalty during a heated podium battle at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
In the race’s closing stages, Charles Leclerc, who had started from pole but was nursing a car issue, found himself under pressure from a hard-charging George Russell. The battle reached a boiling point at Turn 1, where George Russell attempted a bold move down the inside for the final podium spot. Charles Leclerc aggressively defended, prompting George Russell to shout over the team radio: “That was moving under braking, it is clearly not allowed!”
The stewards swiftly responded by slapping Charles Leclerc with a five-second time penalty for the incident, citing improper defensive driving. George Russell passed Charles Leclerc for third place on the following lap in the same corner, securing a podium finish for Mercedes.
But Charles Leclerc’s woes didn’t end there. The Ferrari F1 driver was further penalized with one penalty point on his super-licence for “driving erratically”—his first in a 12-month period, but a blemish nonetheless.
Speaking after the race, Charles Leclerc appeared unfazed by the penalties but couldn’t resist a subtle dig at Russell’s approach. “I knew I was on the limit, but I don’t have much opinion about it,” Leclerc told media outlets. “I felt like I moved before braking and then I braked, and obviously angled my car towards the apex, which is what I normally do.”
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“But I can imagine George being quite vocal on the radio, which is normally the case. I don’t mind it happening in a race like this. If there was a late safety car and I took a five-second penalty, I’d probably be a lot more frustrated, but it wasn’t the case.”
Charles Leclerc’s comments highlight the ongoing tension between drivers when it comes to in-race radio complaints influencing steward decisions. George Russell has often been noted for his detailed radio feedback during battles, something that is increasingly seen as both tactical and informative.
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The Hungarian Grand Prix saw McLaren’s Lando Norris take a commanding win, but the late-race tussle between Leclerc and Russell became a flashpoint in the paddock. The penalty has reignited discussions over what constitutes “moving under braking” and how drivers walk the fine line between robust defense and rule infractions.
For Charles Leclerc, it’s a bitter pill, especially after a weekend that started with so much promise. For Russell, it’s another strong result in what has been a consistent 2025 campaign.
With tensions simmering, fans can expect this Ferrari-Mercedes rivalry to heat up further as F1 resumes after the summer break.
