Arbroath v Queen of the South

Ayr United v Greenock Morton

Banks O’Dee v Hamilton Academical

Clydebank v Buckie Thistle

Cove Rangers v Inverness Caledonian Thistle

Cowdenbeath v Brechin City

Dumbarton v Alloa Athletic

Dundee North End v Airdrieonians

East Kilbride v Falkirk

Edinburgh City v Dunfermline Athletic

Elgin City v Kelty Hearts

Forfar Athletic v Stirling Albion

Fraserburgh v Annan Athletic

Irvine Meadow v Stenhousemuir

Linlithgow Rose v Raith Rovers

Livingston v Brora Rangers

Musselburgh Athletic v Bo’ness United

Peterhead v Montrose

Queen’s Park v Partick Thistle

Stranraer v Broxburn Athletic

Ties to be played weekend of 30 November

The FIA is assessing if Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc should be investigated and possibly punished for swearing in the Mexico Grand Prix press conference, Motorsport understands.

The incident follows Red Bull’s Max Verstappen receiving a community service punishment for swearing in the build-up to last month’s Singapore GP, which led to the Dutchman boycotting FIA press conferences.

The focus on driver swearing is part of an FIA initiative across all its championships to try and avoid its officials being on the receiving end of abuse – often from large, partisan fanbases of famous drivers – but has been interpreted as a clampdown on driver expression following comments by FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem in an interview with Motorsport.

In Leclerc’s case, he was asked “what did you say to yourself when you brought the car back?” after finishing third in the Mexico City race won by his team-mate Carlos Sainz – referring to the moment he nearly crashed his Ferrari at the Peraltada corner in front of McLaren’s Lando Norris.

Leclerc’s reply included the line: “I had one oversteer and then when I recovered from that oversteer, I had an oversteer from the other side and then I was like, ‘f**k’.”

He then added: “Oh, sorry! Oh, no, oh no! I don’t want to join Max!”

After the press conference, Leclerc was spoken to at length by the FIA’s media delegate, where it is understood Leclerc was again apologetic and understanding of why the discussion was taking place.

Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, on the grid

Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images

Advertisement

As with Verstappen’s case, his comments could be constituted as a breach of Article 12.2.1k of the FIA’s International Sporting Code.

The rule states it is an offence to issue “any words, deeds or writings that have caused moral injury or loss to the FIA, its bodies, its members or its executive officers, and more generally on the interest of motorsport and on the values defended by the FIA”.

After the press conference, Motorsport understands the FIA media delegate had to report the incident to the governing body’s sporting officials and the stewards of the meeting.

They are now in discussions over whether to open a formal investigation into Leclerc’s comments – akin to how racing incidents are first noted by race control officials before being passed to the stewards.

It is unclear at this stage when this will be decided, but at the 2023 Abu Dhabi GP, Mercedes and Ferrari team bosses Toto Wolff and Fred Vasseur were investigated for swearing in the Las Vegas event’s team principals’ press conference the previous week.

Therefore, the FIA could wait until next weekend’s Brazilian GP before announcing an investigation.

That’s if it ever gets that far because Motorsport understands Leclerc’s multiple apologies are already being taken into consideration in the matter.

LANDO NORRIS raged at Max Verstappen for “dangerous” driving after being forced off the track twice during an intense battle at the Mexico Grand Prix.

British Formula 1 driver Norris, 24, came into the weekend knowing he had just five races to make up a 57-point deficit to Verstappen in the drivers’ standings.

2

2

Advertisement

Defending champion Verstappen took the lead of the Mexico GP in the opening lap, but was then passed by pole-sitter Carlos Sainz.

Third-place Norris quickly gained on his title rival in the Red Bull and attempted to overtake around the outside but was cut off by Verstappen.

Norris went off the track and came back on ahead of Verstappen.

The Dutchman then tried to pass Norris and in doing so pushed the McLaren off yet again.

Immediately after the incident, Norris told his team on the radio: “I was ahead the whole way through the corner.

“This guy is dangerous. I just have to avoid a crash. It’s the same as last time.

“I’ll be in the wall in a minute.”

The stewards did not punish Verstappen last weekend when a battle with Norris also saw the Briton run off the track.

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS

But on this occasion they looked at the incident and gave Verstappen a 10-second penalty for “forcing a driver off the track”.

They then added on another 10-second penalty for “leaving the track and gaining an advantage”.

Reacting to the incident, Sky Sports pundit Martin Brundle said: “I had a feeling he would have something else coming his way [another 10-second penalty].

“The first one was rude and cheeky, the second one was just plain dangerous.

“That’s just about a full pit stop, for a penalty.”

After learning of his initial 10-second penalty, Verstappen sarcastically labelled it “quite impressive,” before his engineer claimed there was “a lot of whinging”.

The three-time world champion ended up coming into the pits and served the 20-second penalty in the paddock, before he returned to the race.

Aside from perhaps the purists, football fans don’t go to a match to watch zonal marking or a low defensive block.

They go to be entertained, to see goals and to witness moments of magic. They go to watch players like Cole Palmer.

“It is the reason why people pay,” said Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca after yet another eye-catching display by Palmer in Sunday’s 2-1 win against Newcastle.

“They want to see that kind of player and we are very happy to have him here.”

The England forward scored what proved to be the winner to continue his excellent form this season.

This was his seventh goal in nine Premier League games, but it wasn’t just his finish – as nice as it was – that gained the 22-year-old yet more praise.

Instead, it was an incredible 60-yard pass from inside his own half that sent Pedro Neto away down the flank to provide the assist for Nicolas Jackson’s first-half opener.

Alan Smith, co-commentating on the game for Sky Sports, declared it “the pass of the season”, but those analysing in the studio at half-time went one further.

“‘This pass over 60 yards, I mean, that’s one of the best passes I’ve seen, never mind this season, but in the Premier League,” gushed former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher.

“Taking two or three Newcastle players out and then just on a plate for Neto.”

Former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane added: “I love watching this kid.

“Even his awareness when he receives the ball, he knows exactly what’s happening but then to execute the pass… perfect pass, you just run and he’s going to pick you out.”

Continue reading with advertising …

… or with a subscription

Visit motorsport.com as usual with advertising and tracking. You can revoke your consent at any time via the data protection page.¹

Use motorsport.com without any advertising banners, personalized tracking and commercials for a small fee.

Accept and continue

More information about advertising and tracking in our Data protection notice, the List of our partners and in Data protection information center.

Already a subscriber?

Log in here