Norris and Leclerc Summoned by FIA Stewards for Late Press Conference Attendance in Monaco

Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc must report to the FIA stewards on Friday in Monaco, summoned for arriving late to the official Thursday press conference. While the offense may seem trivial, it constitutes a breach of the sporting regulations—specifically Article B10.1.1a, which governs punctuality for mandatory media duties.

Why it matters:

The FIA and Formula 1 take press conference attendance seriously because the sessions are broadcast live, and lateness disrupts the schedule. The governing body has proven willing to enforce these rules strictly, particularly following FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem's recent crackdown on driver conduct in official settings. Even minor infractions now face scrutiny, setting a precedent for professionalism.

The details:

• Both drivers are cited for “late attendance of the Thursday press conference,” a violation of Article B10.1.1a.
• The press conference currently splits six drivers into two groups of three over a one-hour slot to balance attention. This format replaced the previous larger panels, which often led to uneven questioning and driver restlessness.
• Precedents: In 2024, Leclerc was fined €10,000 for swearing in Mexico, and Verstappen received community service for using coarse language in Azerbaijan. However, lateness can be excused: Verstappen avoided penalty for arriving late in Austria last year because he was stuck in traffic and his team notified the FIA in advance. The stewards ruled that “every reasonable measure” was taken, so no penalty was imposed despite the technical breach.
• The current summons suggests the FIA considers timeliness a matter of principle, especially when teams fail to provide adequate notice.

What's next:

The stewards will hear both Norris and Leclerc on Friday before on-track action begins. Given the minor nature of the offense and potential mitigating factors, the most likely outcome is a reprimand or a fine, rather than a grid penalty. Still, the episode reinforces the FIA's zero-tolerance approach to logistical lapses in the 2025 season.