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BREAKING: Leclerc gets time penalty after Japanese Grand Prix, drops down grid!

13 October 2019 at 10:35
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  • Nicolás Quarles van Ufford

Ferrari star Charles Leclerc has been awarded a total of 15 seconds worth of time penalties after the Japanese Grand Prix for causing a collision with Max Verstappen and then not coming in sooner despite having a damaged car, meaning Leclerc now drops to P7 behind Daniel Ricciardo.

Verstappen was on Leclerc's outside headed into turn 2 after the lights went out, but the Ferrari suffered from understeer, causing the 21-year-old to drive into the side of the Red Bull, spinning Verstappen out.

After the race, Leclerc was given a five-second penalty for that incident. However, a heftier time penalty was given for staying out as long as he did despite having a damaged car, with the front wing being damaged and the left rear-view mirror falling off among other things. Ten seconds' worth of penalties extra for that leaves Leclerc with a total of 15 seconds added to his time.

As Ricciardo was 8.1 seconds behind Leclerc when they crossed the finish line the Aussie will now move into P6. 

However, Racing Point have appealed the legality of the Renault cars and they are currently under investigation. Could their P6 and P10 finishes be scrapped altogether? We'll update you as soon as we know more.