Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc had more than just track troubles to contend with during the recent US Grand Prix weekend. Beyond the challenges on the circuit, which included a controversial team order, a strategy mishap, and a disqualification due to a worn ‘plank’, the Monegasque racer had a literal pain to manage – a nagging dental issue.
While Leclerc faced the aforementioned setbacks, the real thorn in his side was a persistent dental problem, which he believes is a deteriorating infection of a wisdom tooth. Such an issue couldn’t have come at a worse time, with the F1 calendar in the midst of a demanding overseas triple-header.
“I was on pretty strong painkillers since Thursday,” Leclerc disclosed to Bild newspaper. He further elaborated, “It was sometimes worse, sometimes better. But it didn’t affect me in the race.”
With the next Grand Prix in Mexico just around the corner, questions arise about the future course of action for Leclerc’s dental woes. Will he need surgery to remove the troublesome wisdom tooth? To this, Leclerc responded with a hint of uncertainty, “I’m not sure yet.”
The timing is particularly inopportune. Following the Mexican Grand Prix, the paddock will swiftly move to Brazil, marking the third race in this overseas streak. Following this sequence, only a week remains before the action lights up in Las Vegas, leading straight into the season’s grand conclusion in Abu Dhabi.
Race correspondent Silja Rulle aptly summed up the predicament, “It’s a tight schedule with little room for a toothache.”