Leclerc to miss São Paulo media day after daughter's birth

Charles Leclerc will miss Thursday's media day ahead of the São Paulo Grand Prix after staying behind for the birth of his daughter, Bianca. He was travelling to Brazil on Thursday, having remained with partner Alexandra for the arrival of their first child.

Thursday's programme at Interlagos typically includes the FIA press conference and team broadcast and sponsor commitments. Attendance is mandatory under the sporting regulations unless a dispensation is granted; RacingNews365 says a case like Leclerc's would be treated as a standard exemption rather than a breach.

Dino Beganovic will replace Leclerc in first practice under the requirement for a rookie to appear in four FP1 sessions during the season. It remained unclear whether Leclerc would miss Friday's on-track running from second practice onward; he may instead have been prioritising travel time to reach São Paulo in time for Friday afternoon.

Bianca's birth came towards the end of a hectic triple-header for Leclerc. He finished fourth in Mexico City, where he was penalised for an opening-lap clash with Lewis Hamilton, and remains in the fight for second in the drivers' championship.