Charles Leclerc will likely need to use a fourth turbocharger unit of the season, which will result in a 10-place penalty on the grid; The Ferrari driver says the team is considering applying the penalty to the Canadian GP; watch the first workout from Montreal at 6.30pm on Friday
Last update: 17/06/22 20:09
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Charles Leclerc retired from the Azerbaijani Grand Prix after suffering an engine failure in Baku.
Charles Leclerc retired from the Azerbaijani Grand Prix after suffering an engine failure in Baku.
Charles Leclerc says a 10-seat grid penalty is being considered in the Canadian GP this weekend after Ferrari confirmed that its failed power unit of the Azerbaijani GP is “out of repair”.
Leclerc’s DNF in Baku last weekend marked the second time in three races that he had retired from the lead after an engine failure in Barcelona last month, and the team confirmed that the two incidents could have been related.
The failure will likely make Leclerc need to use a fourth turbocharger unit of the season, which would result in a 10-place grid on the grid, giving his world championship hopes again. However, on Friday he did not choose to do a new one in practice 1.
“The investigation confirmed that Charles’ Baku PU is irreparable,” a Ferrari statement said.
“A possible cause of failure is that it occurred as a result of the problem of PU in Spain.
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Leclerc says he still believes Ferrari can fight Red Bull for the world championship before the Canadian Grand Prix.
Leclerc says he still believes Ferrari can fight Red Bull for the world championship before the Canadian Grand Prix.
“We are now working on countermeasures to strengthen the package and the situation is under control.”
A good start to the season in which Leclerc won two of the first three races helped him open up a 46-point lead over Verstappen, but his Sunday fights since then – despite having taken pole in each of the The last four races have allowed the Dutchman to establish a 34-point lead in his competition.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday shortly after Ferrari’s announcement, Leclerc confirmed that the fact that the Gilles Villeneuve Circuit in Montreal has many opportunities to advance has made the team consider it worthwhile to in the new unit this weekend.
“Obviously, we’re not in the best position possible,” Leclerc said.
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Former IndyCar driver Danica Patrick thought Leclerc was discouraged as his title hopes were dashed again with his latest retirement in Azerbaijan.
Former IndyCar driver Danica Patrick thought Leclerc was discouraged as his title hopes were dashed again with his latest retirement in Azerbaijan.
“For the change of power unit I think there are still discussions going on, we will try to push (back) as much as possible the decision.
“At the moment, no decision has been made, but this is not the best situation for me.
“It is up to us to choose the best track where you want to receive a penalty, if you have a penalty.
“It simply came to our notice then.
“But there are also some of the tracks for the next three or four races where it’s also easier to get ahead.
“We will discuss and try to make the best decision from here.”
However, one of the drivers who will be penalized is Yuki Tsunoda. The Alpha Tauri rider is using his fourth engine of the season and will therefore go from the bottom of the grid to Sunday’s race.