News Summary
- Rafael Câmara received his first driving reprimand of the season for impeding Charles Leclerc at Turn 15.
- Leclerc moved to the right to avoid a collision, taking a significant part of his Ferrari off the track.
- The stewards issued a reprimand instead of the warning they would typically give for impeding in free practice.
Rafael Câmara received a driving reprimand after forcing Charles Leclerc to take evasive action during second practice for the São Paulo Grand Prix. The incident happened at 16:31 local time on Friday as Leclerc approached the slower Haas on a flying lap through Turn 15, on the uphill run onto the main straight at Interlagos.
Câmara was weaving and moved well into the racing line despite being warned several times that Leclerc was coming, the stewards found. Leclerc moved right to avoid a collision, putting a significant part of his Ferrari off the track. Both cars continued.
Why the stewards issued a reprimand
The stewards heard from Câmara and team representatives and reviewed video, onboard footage and team radio. They found that the Haas driver had unnecessarily impeded Leclerc in breach of Article B4.1.1 of the FIA Formula 1 Regulations.
“The situation that was created was clearly dangerous and Car 51 should have taken more care to avoid impeding Car 16,” the stewards wrote in Document 25, issued at 18:04 local time.
The panel said a warning would typically be issued for impeding in free practice but considered a reprimand warranted in this case. It is Câmara’s first reprimand of the season and carries no grid drop.
Câmara is making his Grand Prix debut for Haas at Interlagos. He was 18th in Friday’s opening practice before improving to 16th in FP2. Leclerc finished the second session seventh.
GRANDE PRÊMIO is following every session of the São Paulo Grand Prix in Formula 1 live from Interlagos.
FAQ
Did Rafael Câmara receive a grid penalty?
No. The stewards issued a driving reprimand.
Where did the Câmara–Leclerc incident happen?
At Turn 15, on the uphill run onto the main straight at Interlagos.
When is São Paulo Grand Prix qualifying?
Qualifying starts at 15:00 BRT, 18:00 GMT and 13:00 EST on Saturday, 7 November.
Tags — Rafael Câmara, Charles Leclerc, Haas, São Paulo Grand Prix
