Why Ferrari staff was left frustrated by VIP guest behaviour during F1 Montreal GP

Ferrari Struggles at Canadian Grand Prix: Leclerc Crash, Strategy Disputes, and Paddock Club Disruptions Add to Team’s Woes

Ferrari endured a challenging start to the Montreal Grand Prix weekend at the 4.361-kilometre Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve when Charles Leclerc suffered an early crash during the opening minutes of the first practice session. The incident, which resulted in damage to the chassis, forced the Monegasque driver to sit out FP2, as the Maranello team’s spare chassis had not yet passed FIA scrutineering. This setback disrupted Ferrari’s preparations in a crucial weekend marked by mounting pressure to deliver results.

The troubles extended beyond Ferrari’s garage. During the race, Lewis Hamilton encountered his own misfortune after an unexpected collision with local wildlife in the early laps. The incident cost the Mercedes driver approximately three-tenths of a second per lap compared to Leclerc, further illustrating how unpredictable the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve can be.

Despite these setbacks, Ferrari managed to salvage a reasonable number of points by the end of the weekend. However, it marked yet another missed opportunity to fight for victory, adding to the scrutiny on team principal Fred Vasseur as expectations for consistent top-tier performances continue to grow.

Ferrari’s difficulties in Montreal weren’t limited to on-track matters. F1 photographer and insider Kym Illman reported an unusual incident on Saturday that prompted FIA involvement. According to Illman, an issue arose in the Ferrari pit area during qualifying that highlighted the potential risks of overcrowded paddock environments.

The Ferrari pit crew reportedly became frustrated after guests from the Formula 1 Paddock Club, located above the garage, accidentally disrupted operations. A glass of liquid was allegedly knocked over from the balcony, resulting in water trickling down into the Ferrari pit box. The spill caught the attention of Charles Leclerc’s chief mechanic, Alessandro Fusaro, who was seen looking up repeatedly toward the balcony, indicating clear displeasure. Despite the presence of a mesh barrier, the liquid still made its way down the wall and onto the working area near the mechanics. The FIA promptly got involved, with one official reportedly making a phone call to address the issue with those upstairs.

Such incidents serve as a reminder of the potential hazards posed by close proximity between VIP areas and critical team operations, especially in high-pressure qualifying scenarios. The pit lane remains one of the most dangerous zones in Formula 1, and team personnel must remain constantly vigilant, particularly when external factors introduce additional risks.

Ferrari’s struggles continued into Sunday with strategic misalignment that further hampered Charles Leclerc’s performance. The team opted to start him on the hard tyre compound, a decision that was later questioned by the driver himself. After his first stop, Charles Leclerc believed a switch to the medium tyres would have offered better chances of closing in on the leading cars. However, the team stuck with ‘Plan B,’ choosing to run the hard tyres again and save the mediums for the final stint of the race.

The Monegasque driver later indicated that this strategy choice compromised his ability to challenge for a podium position. The disagreement between driver and team raised eyebrows, including those of 1997 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve, who voiced concern over the growing disconnect between Charles Leclerc and the Ferrari pit wall. Villeneuve suggested that such misalignment, if left unresolved, could pose a serious problem for Ferrari as the season progresses.

From pit lane chaos to strategic doubts, the Canadian Grand Prix weekend left Ferrari with more questions than answers—adding further pressure on the Scuderia to regroup ahead of the next round.