Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to miss F1 Imola GP media duties due to illness

Ferrari racer Charles Leclerc will not attend Formula 1’s media day ahead of the 2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola due to “feeling unwell”, according to the team.

In a statement shared on social media, the Ferrari team confirmed that Leclerc would not be at the track and would therefore miss his Thursday media duties.

“Charles is feeling unwell and will not be coming to the track today,” the team statement read. “He will rest and focus on recovering and we expect him to be in the car tomorrow.”

Ferrari has not shared any additional details about the cause of Leclerc’s illness.

The Monegasque racer was not due to take part in today’s FIA press conferences at Imola, but would have spoken to the media in the paddock ahead of tomorrow’s practice sessions.

Now, his first appearance at the historic track will be ahead of the first practice session on Friday morning.

The team will be hoping for a swift recovery from Leclerc as it is expecting better fortunes in Imola compared with what it endured last time out in Miami. The layout of the Italian track is thought to suit the SF-25 better than the Miami circuit did.

Ferrari is also bringing its first set of upgrades for 2025 to the track this weekend. The package won’t be especially extensive, however, and precedes a bigger set of upgrades planned for the Spanish Grand Prix later this month.

Leclerc missing the Thursday media day follows Red Bull racer Max Verstappen’s decision to skip his own media duties at the Miami Grand Prix, as he spent time with his partner, Kelly Piquet, and the pair’s new baby daughter, who was born in the week leading up to the race.