The Miami GP‘s first and only practice session was an eventful one. A majority of the teams were keen to get maximum laps to ensure maximum data to prepare for Sprint Qualifying. However, Charles Leclerc ‘s unexpected spin-out caused a red flag in the only Practice session. Hence, rival teams quickly noted this incident and made some hilarious comments about it.
Charles Leclerc spun out while coming out of the turn 16 before the main straight at the Miami GP FP1. The Monegasque then failed to engage the reverse gear and had to shut off the engine due to the clutch plate overheating. Hence, this incident caused a red flag and the teams had to return to the pits as Leclerc crawled out the chassis on track. McLaren and Red Bull quickly took to X to make fun of the 26-year-old for such a mistake.
Red Bull posted on X about the incident and added a hilarious gif as well. Milton Keynes’ social media page jokingly motivated Leclerc to ‘hang in there’, indicating that he could achieve the feat of putting the car in reverse. The gif contained a person stuck between the two walls, unable to reverse the car, much like the 26-year-old’s situation on the circuit.
Hang in there, Charles
Red Bull posted on X.
Apart from this, McLaren’s social media page also quickly made fun of the 26-year-old over this. McLaren admin pointed out the infamous meme and posted that Leclerc couldn’t park his car there. This meant that the Monegasque had to quickly start the car and get out from the track to restart the session. The track was soon cleared and the teams returned to driving around the circuit in the practice session.
You can't park there sir. #MiamiGP McLaren posted on X.
David Croft couldn’t help but giggle over the hilarious incident
Sky Sports F1 commentator, David Croft couldn’t help but giggle over Charles Leclerc struggling to put on the reverse gear. The Briton laughed at the incident and recalled the scene in Austin Powers when the person struggled to get the car outside the tunnel. The commentator pointed out the same gif that was posted by Red Bull over their X page.
You know that scene in Austin Powers when he's trying to get the car turned around in the tunnel? I think we've got one of those on our hands! David Croft said during FP1 at the Miami GP (H&T: mirror.co.uk).
The 53-year-old further expressed his amusement over the incident. Crofty claimed that the accident ruined Leclerc’s first few moments around the circuit. Besides, other drivers’ sessions were also compromised due to the incident. Hence, the drivers might have been irritated by the unwarranted spin-out from the fairly experienced Monegasque.
I'm not laughing... well, I am, but I'm laughing at the Austin Powers thing, not at Charles Leclerc. This is ruining not only his first few moments, but everyone else out on track as well. David Croft noted.
Charles Leclerc would take a look over the available data and like to know the issues. The clutch pad heating caused the gear changing issue and even the spin out. Hence, the chassis would need to be dealt with immediately before the Sprint qualifying session. The 26-year-old is hopeful of scoring very good results over the first of the three American weekends.
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