Charles Leclerc has to pay a 10-place grid penalty during the Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday. Presumably Ferrari’s Monegask even starts at the back.
Ferrari announced in Montreal on Friday that Leclerc was getting a new engine, his third of the season. The Italian team has not yet changed the turbo, so that the current number three in the World Cup position initially did not receive any grid penalties. That new engine was needed because Leclerc’s failing power source in Baku was damaged beyond repair a week ago.
After the second free practice, it turned out that Ferrari has also mounted a third ‘control electronics’ in the car, which means that Leclerc has to go back ten places on Sunday. That will probably be the last position.
Italian media report that Leclerc will also receive a fourth new engine on Saturday, including a new turbo. That would result in a colossal number of grid penalties, simply pointing him to the back of the starting grid.
‘Overtaking a little more difficult than expected’
Leclerc himself kept it to ten places for a while. “I start a little more backwards,” said the 24-year-old driver after the free practice sessions. “It was the best decision, so now let’s see how it goes.”
The Ferrari leader knows that he has to overtake cars. “That was a bit more difficult today than I expected. But we have the speed, so hopefully we’ll get back to where we belong soon.”
Max Verstappen could look back on a good first day in Montreal on Friday. The reigning world champion set the fastest time in both the first and second free practice.
Canada GP Timetable
- Third free practice: Saturday 7 p.m.
- Qualification: Saturday 10 p.m.
- Race: Sunday 20:00