Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc Summoned by FIA Stewards Before Monaco GP Practice Over Press Conference Breach

Two of Formula 1’s most prominent drivers face regulatory scrutiny before a single lap has been completed at the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix. Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc have both been summoned to appear before the FIA stewards on Friday, following their late arrival at Thursday’s mandatory driver press conference — an obligation governed by the sport’s sporting regulations.

According to Autosport, the formal reason cited in each summons reads: “Alleged breach of Article B10.1.1a of the FIA F1 regulations – late attendance of the Thursday press conference.” Article B10 of the regulations sets out the obligations placed on competitors regarding media activities and official ceremonies, making attendance — and punctuality — a formal requirement rather than a courtesy.

The Thursday press conference format currently divides six selected drivers into two groups of three, each appearing sequentially within a one-hour window. The restructured format was introduced to address shortcomings in the previous arrangement, where larger groups of drivers appearing simultaneously led to questions being directed disproportionately at one or two individuals. The change was also intended to reduce disruption caused by drivers who grew restless when not actively engaged. Drivers not selected for the televised session are required under Article B10.1.1a to participate in a separate media session, scheduled so as not to conflict with the FIA’s own conference.

While a late arrival to a press conference may appear minor in the context of a race weekend, the breach carries real regulatory weight. The conference is broadcast live, making adherence to scheduling a priority for both the FIA and Formula 1’s commercial rights holder. A comparable situation arose in 2024, when Max Verstappen was late to the Thursday press conference at the Austrian Grand Prix. On that occasion, stewards declined to impose a penalty after the team notified the FIA in advance that the driver had been delayed by traffic. The stewards’ reasoning at the time was unambiguous: “The stewards conclude that the driver and the team took every reasonable measure given the circumstances and therefore impose no penalty despite technically the regulations have been breached.”

It remains to be seen whether Norris and Leclerc — or their respective teams — offered comparable advance notification or extenuating circumstances. No details regarding the nature of their delays have been confirmed at the time of writing.

This is not the first time official press conference conduct has attracted stewards’ attention in recent seasons. In 2024, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem initiated a crackdown on the use of expletives in official broadcast settings. Leclerc was fined €10,000 that year for swearing during a session at the Mexican Grand Prix. Verstappen, meanwhile, was handed a community service requirement after using language at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix that stewards described as “coarse, rude” and “not considered suitable for broadcast.”

The Monaco Grand Prix holds particular significance for Leclerc, who races on home streets and signed a new contract with Ferrari ahead of the 2026 season. Norris, who leads the Drivers’ Championship conversation heading into the European leg of the calendar, will be equally eager to focus attention on performance rather than procedure. The outcome of Friday’s stewards’ hearing will determine whether either driver faces a financial penalty or further sanction before practice sessions get underway.