Scuderia Ferrari Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc will likely take a grid penalty later in the season as a result of the first-lap crash which took him out of the Hungarian Grand Prix, according to the Maranello team.
The Italian side officially confirmed inspection of Charles Leclerc’s power unit following the crash indicated it was “irreparably damaged”. Charles Leclerc retired after he was hit from behind by Lance Stroll at the first corner and knocked into Daniel Ricciardo’s McLaren.
Formula 1 drivers are allowed to use a maximum of three new power units over the course of the 23-race season. Leclerc’s power unit was his second, and as it is now unlikely to complete a full duty cycle he is expected to require a fourth power unit before the end of the season, incurring an automatic grid penalty.
“The accident in which Charles Leclerc was an innocent victim shortly after the start of the Hungarian Grand Prix came at the cost of robbing him of the chance of a great result at the Hungaroring,” said Ferrari in a statement – “However, examination of the number 16 SF21 carried out yesterday in Maranello, revealed that on top of this, the engine was irreparably damaged and cannot be used again, following the impact from Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin.”
The consequences of the collision will go beyond a likely penalty, Ferrari pointed out.
“This damage has a financial impact and also racing ramifications, given that over the remaining 12 race weekends this season, it is highly likely the team could be obliged to fit a fourth ICE to Charles’ SF21, thus incurring grid penalties.”
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