Charles Leclerc, the Ferrari driver, is set to receive the first grid penalty of the season due to a power unit-related issue ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, marking a poor start for the team this year. In this article, we will delve deeper into the details surrounding this penalty and its implications for Ferrari’s chances in Jeddah.
Power Unit Restrictions in F1
Formula 1 has a system in place to prevent teams from frequently changing their power unit (PU) components throughout the season. This system involves imposing restrictions on the number of power unit components that teams can give to their drivers across a season. The aim is to stop the bigger teams from bolting in a new PU at almost every stop on the calendar.
Leclerc’s Power Unit-Related Grid Penalty
Usually, power unit-related grid penalties do not come into effect until later in the season. However, Ferrari and Leclerc’s poor start to the season has resulted in him receiving a penalty. Ferrari was forced to replace Leclerc’s Control Electronics following a race incident at the season-opener in Bahrain. The team then had to replace this component again before the start of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, resulting in Leclerc breaching the component limits for F1 2023.
The Rules on Control Electronics
According to the rules, drivers are only allowed two Control Electronics components per season. As this was Leclerc’s third component, he will face a 10-place grid penalty in Jeddah.
Ferrari’s Troubles
Fred Vasseur, Ferrari’s team principal, explained that the team encountered two problems with Leclerc’s power unit – one on Sunday morning and the other during the race. The team has thoroughly investigated the problem and will pay for it with a penalty in Jeddah.
Implications for Ferrari’s Chances
Leclerc’s penalty is a setback for Ferrari’s chances in Jeddah. The team was expected to perform better on the high-speed Jeddah track, which is less demanding on the tyres than Bahrain. Leclerc will now have to work hard to make up for the 10-place grid penalty.
Ferrari will rely on Leclerc’s team-mate, Carlos Sainz, to deliver an improved performance. At the Bahrain Grand Prix, Sainz finished in P4 after being overtaken by Fernando Alonso, who represented Aston Martin, for the final podium spot.
Leclerc’s penalty is a significant blow to Ferrari’s chances in Jeddah, but the team will still be hoping for a better performance from Sainz. The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix promises to be an exciting race with Red Bull currently dominating the season-opener. However, with the right strategy and performance, Ferrari can still aim to finish on the podium.