F1: Ferrari Faces Significant Setback in Constructors' Championship as Leclerc Receives 10-Place Grid Penalty
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Abu Dhabi, Dec 6 (NationPress) Charles Leclerc has been handed a 10-place grid penalty for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after the Ferrari driver took on a new energy store, which is a significant setback for the team's aspirations in the constructors' contest with McLaren.
As Ferrari aims to outscore the papaya team by 22 points this weekend, maintaining optimal performance will be vital for the 27-year-old.
The Monegasque driver had to wait in the pits for the initial 20 minutes of FP1 in Abu Dhabi while Ferrari addressed a suspected battery issue on his car – fortunately, he was able to take to the track alongside his younger brother, Arthur Leclerc.
However, to rectify the issue, he has now surpassed the allowance of two energy stores per season and must face the grid drop, which will necessitate a significant recovery effort if Ferrari hopes to sustain their championship ambitions.
The Maranello outfit is currently 21 points behind McLaren in the quest for the constructors' championship but will need a near-perfect weekend to maximize their chances, with the impending penalty posing a considerable challenge.
"The energy store utilized by Charles Leclerc is the third (3rd) of the two (2) new energy stores permitted for the 2024 Championship season and this is not in compliance with Article 28.2 of the 2024 Formula One Sporting Regulations," stated a document released shortly before the close of FP1 at the Yas Marina Circuit.
It was promptly confirmed after the session that Leclerc would indeed face the 10-place penalty for the violation.
Leclerc showcased impressive pace during the first practice session despite the delay in getting on track, topping the timesheets with a margin of 0.221s over McLaren's Lando Norris.
