Charles Leclerc suffers Austin Powers embarrassment as Miami GP session stopped

03 May 2024 , 16:48

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Charles Leclerc's Ferrari blocked the track after spinning (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Charles Leclerc was compared to Austin Powers after his spin caused Miami Grand Prix practice to be red-flagged.

The Monegasque lost control of his Ferrari during practice and span around on a particularly tight section of the track. Fortunately, he didn't make contact with the barriers and there was no damage done to his car.

However, because the road was so narrow, his car acted as a bottle-stopper on track. Several cars had to come to a stop and wait for Leclerc to try to turn his Ferrari around and get going again.

He had to go forward and then reverse several times but still struggled to turn the car around. Then, after pausing to allow other cars to go through, Leclerc's clutch overheated and he was not able to put it in reverse again.

With the Ferrari stranded, the session was red-flagged and the driver clambered out of his car. Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft couldn't help but giggle and compared it to a scene from an Austin Powers movie in which the titular character struggles to turn his car around in a tight space.

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Speaking live on air, Croft struggled to contain his laughter as he said: "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!"

As he continued to giggle, he added: "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."

A few seconds later, as it became clear Leclerc wasn't going to be able to get his car facing the right way again, race control decided to red flag the session. Once the Ferrari was recovered, the session got going again.

But the Monegasque was able to play no further part. And, because the Sprint format is again in use this weekend, it means Leclerc will get no practice time before heading back out on track for qualifying for the Sprint race later on Friday.

Fortunately for everyone else, the red flags were not flying for long and the action was able to continue. But there was only one Ferrari out on track with Carlos Sainz showing off the team's special one-off livery featuring blue alongside their famous red.

Daniel Moxon