BREAKING: Charles Leclerc Could Miss Spanish GP After Huge Monza Crash as FIA Health Checks Put… Read more

BREAKING: Charles Leclerc Could Miss Spanish GP After Huge Monza Crash as FIA Health Checks Put Madrid Return Under Pressure

Charles Leclerc’s participation in the Spanish Grand Prix was briefly thrown into doubt after the Ferrari star was forced to undergo additional medical checks following his heavy crash at the Italian Grand Prix.

The concern came after Leclerc suffered a major accident at Monza while fighting Oscar Piastri. The Ferrari driver lost control at the Parabolica and hit the barriers at high speed, triggering a red flag and bringing his home race to an abrupt end. �

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Although Leclerc was able to climb out of the wrecked Ferrari and was released from the circuit’s medical centre without any serious injury being detected, the impact was significant enough for further checks to be required before his next race.

Leclerc himself admitted immediately after the crash that he was not yet completely certain he would be fit for the Madrid weekend.

“I’ll have quite a few additional checks,”

he explained, stressing that the priority was to make sure he was fully fit before returning to the car. �

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Vision problem raised immediate concern

One of the most worrying details from the accident was Leclerc’s admission that his vision was temporarily affected.

The Ferrari driver said his neck was initially okay but revealed that his right eye was not giving him normal vision immediately after the crash. Fortunately, he later reported that the problem had improved. �

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That development naturally raised questions about whether he would be cleared to compete at the new Madrid circuit.

For a Formula 1 driver, returning from a significant high-speed impact is not simply a matter of feeling comfortable. Medical assessments are designed to establish whether the driver is physically and neurologically fit to withstand the demands of a Grand Prix weekend.

That is why the additional health checks became so important for Leclerc.

The FIA factor adds another layer

The situation is particularly significant because Formula 1 drivers cannot simply decide to race after a major incident if there are outstanding medical concerns.

Any required FIA medical assessment and the relevant sporting procedures have to be satisfied before a driver can take part.

Leclerc therefore faced a nervous wait after Monza, even though there were no initial indications of a serious injury.

The timing could hardly have been worse for Ferrari.

The Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid represents a completely new challenge for the F1 field, with the new Madring circuit making its debut this weekend. Teams have limited real-world data, while the unusual layout is expected to place considerable demands on the drivers. �

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Ferrari desperately needs Leclerc back

Leclerc’s absence would be a major blow to Ferrari.

The Italian team endured a disastrous home weekend at Monza. Leclerc retired early after his crash, while Lewis Hamilton could only recover to sixth following his opening-lap clash with his teammate.

The result left Ferrari looking for a major response in Madrid.

Leclerc has also become an increasingly important part of Ferrari’s fight at the sharp end of the championship. Losing one of its two drivers at a brand-new circuit would immediately place additional pressure on Hamilton and the team.

There is also unfinished business between the two Ferrari drivers following their Monza incident.

Leclerc subsequently admitted that he was at fault for the clash with Hamilton, and the pair have since spoken privately to clear the air. Despite Hamilton calling for clearer rules of engagement, Ferrari has not introduced formal written rules between the teammates. �

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But there is encouraging news

The biggest positive for Leclerc is that the latest reports indicate his recovery has been going well.

A report published on September 10 says the 28-year-old Ferrari driver confirmed that his medical examinations following the Monza accident had gone well. �

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That represents a significant change from the uncertainty immediately following the crash.

Furthermore, Leclerc’s Ferrari was not destroyed mechanically to the extent that an engine penalty would be required for Madrid. The team is expected to replace the transmission casing rather than install an entirely new power unit. �

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So while the initial headline of a possible absence created serious concern, the situation appears considerably more positive now.

Madrid return could become a major storyline

If Leclerc receives the necessary medical clearance and takes his place on the grid, his return will inevitably become one of the major stories of the Spanish Grand Prix.

He will arrive at a completely new circuit after one of the most dramatic accidents of his season.

The Madrid race is already expected to be one of the most unpredictable weekends of 2026 because teams have limited experience of the new layout. Reuters reports that most drivers have only been able to study the circuit through simulator work, with the unusual banked “La Monumental” section expected to be one of its defining features. �

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For Leclerc, however, the challenge is more personal.

After walking away from a heavy Monza crash, undergoing additional checks and dealing with temporary vision problems, simply getting back into the Ferrari and completing Friday practice could represent an important psychological step.

The latest evidence suggests Leclerc is on course to return rather than being ruled out.

But until the required medical procedures are satisfied, the question surrounding his Madrid participation remains one Ferrari fans will be watching closely.

Leclerc’s Monza crash may have ended his Italian Grand Prix early, but it has created an entirely different battle ahead of Madrid: proving that Ferrari’s star is ready, medically and physically, to return to the cockpit.