Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari lost its rear at the final corner on lap three of the Italian Grand Prix, sending the Monegasque into the tyre barrier.
He had been defending third place from Oscar Piastri when the rear‑end failure occurred, and although he climbed out unassisted and was taken to the medical car, the incident forced the race officials to red‑flag the event at the end of the lap. Leclerc had started the race from third on the grid and only two full laps were completed before the stoppage.
Immediate impact
The sudden loss of rear grip at the final corner left Leclerc with no opportunity to undercut or overcut his rivals. With the car stranded in the runoff, the marshals deployed the medical car, and the race director elected to halt the session, wiping out any chance of an early pit window strategy for the front‑running drivers.
Safety response
Leclerc’s exit from the vehicle was unaided, indicating that the impact, while serious enough to end his race, did not leave him incapacitated. The medical car’s presence was precautionary, following standard protocol for any driver who contacts the tyre barrier. The red flag allowed the track to be cleared and the barrier inspected before racing could resume.
Leclerc’s rear‑end failure ended his Italian Grand Prix on lap three.
Championship implications
With only two laps logged, the race will likely be restarted, and Leclerc will start from the pit lane or the back of the grid, depending on the stewards’ decision. His early exit eliminates any chance of scoring points at Monza, a circuit where Ferrari traditionally seeks a strong result. The incident also removes a potential undercut opportunity against Piastri, who was already under pressure from the Monegasque.
The red‑flag situation underscores the fine line between tyre performance and the tyre cliff that can appear on high‑speed circuits like Monza. While no tyre compound details were released, the rear‑end loss suggests a possible degradation issue that Ferrari will need to address before the next stint.
Overall, the abrupt end to Leclerc’s race highlights the unforgiving nature of the Italian Grand Prix and sets the stage for a reshuffled grid once the race resumes.