New Engine: Charles Leclerc Faces Grid Penalty in Baku

– X-ray analyses have confirmed that the power unit of Charles Leclerc, which was involved in the accident at the Parabolica during the Italian Grand Prix, can be salvaged. However, Formula 1 regulations prohibit Ferrari’s technicians from starting the engine to actually check if everything is fine or if there might be issues with certain parts.

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The sensors associated with the 067/6 power unit detected no particular anomalies, so Ferrari will very likely use the unit equipped with the ADUO2 update in the first practice session of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku.

Provided no problems occur (not all parts belonging to the FIA homologation of the engine can be replaced), Leclerc will continue to use this engine in the two further practice sessions.

However, it is almost certain that a new ADUO2 power unit will be installed before qualifying, with which Leclerc is expected to compete for the rest of the season, while the Monza unit will only be used for practice as a rotating combustion engine.

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In this case, the Monegasque driver would have to serve a penalty and start the race in Baku from the last position, with numerous overtaking opportunities on the long straight that ends with a hard braking zone before turn 1.

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Frederic Vasseur was the first to hint after the Spanish Grand Prix that a fifth engine would have to be used. In an interview with Canal+ he said: “We will see when we have to take an engine penalty with Charles, but I think Baku should be quite suitable for that.”

The ADUO2 engine brings about two tenths of a second per lap compared to the ADUO1 specification that Leclerc used in Spain.

Considering that Leclerc was only 0.006 seconds behind Lewis Hamilton in Q3, who started fourth, and the Monegasque was 0.189 seconds behind Lando Norris, who took pole in the McLaren, it is possible that with a current power unit he could have reached the front row, if not even pole position.

In this case, the race for Ferrari on Sunday would probably have turned out differently as well. Instead, the Grand Prix ended again outside the top 3 – for the fourth time in a row now.

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