Leclerc to start at the back for F1 Canadian GP after more engine penalties
It’s a serious dent to Leclerc’s F1 title chances with main rival Max Verstappen dominating both practice sessions in Canada.
Leclerc was hit with an initial 10-place grid penalty after FP2 but will drop to the back of the grid after taking further engine components.
He has taken a new internal combustion engine, turbo, MGU-H, MGU-K meaning he will now join Yuki Tsunoda on the back row on the grid for Sunday’s Canadian GP.
- Verstappen edges out Leclerc in FP2, Hamilton struggles to 13th
- Hamilton and Verstappen disagree over FIA's porpoising rule
After a storming start to the year, Leclerc's season has turned on its head for the worst with an 80-point swing in Verstappen's favour.
Leclerc retired from the lead of the Spanish Grand Prix, while poor strategy decisions cost him in Monaco.
He also retired from Azerbaijan prematurely due to a power unit issue.
After the race in Baku, Ferrari confirmed that Leclerc’s power unit from that weekend was damaged “beyond repair” and thus can't be used again.
"Investigation confirmed Charles Leclerc's Baku power-unit is beyond repair,” a Ferrari statement read.
“One possible cause of the failure is it occurred as a consequence of the problem in Spain. We are now working on countermeasures to strengthen the package and the situation is under control.”
Teammate Carlos Sainz has also taken a new ICE but won't be hit with a penalty.
