Scuderia Ferrari Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc will not start from the nineteenth position, as determined by the qualifying session for the 2023 Formula 1 Spanish GP, but will instead begin from the pit lane. The Maranello team has opted to replace several components on the Monegasque driver’s SF-23 car.
The disappointing Saturday qualifying session in Barcelona relegated the #16 Ferrari driver to the nineteenth position. Exiting in Q1, Charles Leclerc never found the right feel with the car, experiencing issues since the morning’s Free Practice 3.
Charles Leclerc will start the Spanish Grand Prix from the pit lane. The Italian side has decided to change the gearbox and the entire rear end, as explained by English senior performance engineer Jock Clear stated:
“We took the opportunity to replace the gearbox, and consequently, the whole rear end to make sure there is nothing unpleasant.” The news was reported primarily by journalists Luke Smith and Adam Cooper.
RaceFans.com reports further words from Jock Clear: “We haven’t had a chance to properly examine the car because of the limited time due to the parc fermé rules,” he said. “Actually, we haven’t replaced the gearbox yet, we are in the process. But it will go back to the factory, and we will check it.”
Show your support for Scuderia Ferrari with official merchandise collection! Click here to enter the F1 online Store and shop securely! And also get your F1 tickets for every race with VIP hospitality and unparalleled insider access. Click here for the best offers to support Charles and Carlos from the track!
“The most important thing for him this afternoon is that he will have a new rear end, which should give him confidence again. Anything that wasn’t right, now is. The rear end is completely new, so he will have to start from the pit lane, but he can do so with a certain assurance. Hopefully, we can bring him back into the points.” – the English senior performance engineer concluded.
