LANDO NORRIS AND CHARLES LECLERC HIT WITH FINES FOR LATE ARRIVAL TO FIA PRESS CONFERENCE

Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc were hit with €5000 fines for arriving late to the mandatory FIA press conference ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix. McLaren and Ferrari received the penalties, which are suspended for 12 months, meaning the teams won't pay unless further infractions occur. Both drivers cited "clashing commitments" as the reason for their tardiness, but stewards deemed this insufficient to waive the rules. Punctuality for the televised press sessions, outlined in FIA F1 regulations Article B10.1.1a, is non-negotiable for selected drivers.

The incident highlights the FIA's strict stance on media obligations, even for minor breaches. This contrasts with Max Verstappen's unpunished lateness in Austria when his team gave prior notification, and pales in comparison to Carlos Sainz's €20,000 fine for being five seconds late to the national anthem last season. Drivers and teams must ensure scheduling aligns with official F1 commitments to avoid future penalties.