F1: Italian Grand Prix red-flagged after massive Charles Leclerc crash

Ferrari’s Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc competes at the start of the race during the Italian Formula One Grand Prix at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza circuit in Monza, northern Italy on September 6, 2026. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP)

The Italian Grand Prix at Monza was halted after just two laps on Sunday after Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc slid off the track and smashed into barriers.

The Monegasque, who is a two-time winner at Monza, lost control on the exit of the parabolica at the end of lap two, going straight into the gravel and flying sideways into the barriers.

Leclerc stepped out of the car, looking winded but otherwise unhurt.

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Huge impact for Charles 🎥

A reminder that he's out of the car and okay#F1 #ItalianGP pic.twitter.com/AYTRyQn0gI

— Formula 1 (@F1) September 6, 2026

The race was red-flagged with Mercedes’ George Russell in the lead, having overtaken pole-sitter Pierre Gasly of Alpine.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was third ahead of Franco Colapinto in the second Alpine.

Lewis Hamilton, who started fourth, lost ground when he was forced off the track by teammate Leclerc at the first chicane, and was running eighth.

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Championship leader Kimi Antonelli began at the back of the field after exceeding the permitted number of power unit changes but had already moved his way up to 12th in his Mercedes by the time the race was suspended.

The race will resume once the tire barrier has been repaired.