It’s not a smooth start to the decisive Abu Dhabi GP weekend for the Prancing Horse. During Friday’s first free practice, the number 16 SF-24 was confined to the garage for more than half the session due to an issue with the battery pack. The problem with Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari not only cost the Monegasque valuable time but also led to a penalty. The mechanics at Maranello had no choice: replacing the Energy Store made the sanction unavoidable.
Not just the penalty: Charles Leclerc also hindered by illness
But that’s not all. In the afternoon, a lackluster Ferrari was no match for a far more aggressive McLaren on track. The bad news for the Prancing Horse doesn’t stop there. A report on French TV channel Canal+ by Jean Alesi was further confirmed by the Italian media from the Abu Dhabi paddock: Charles Leclerc is reportedly not in peak physical condition. The Monegasque driver is suffering from a gastrointestinal issue caused by food poisoning.
With Charles Leclerc not in top physical form, the Abu Dhabi GP mountain becomes even steeper to climb. Not only is there a strong McLaren and a heavy grid penalty, but a bothersome case of food poisoning also distances Ferrari and Charles Leclerc from the Constructors’ Championship.
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