Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc takes 10-place grid penalty

Charles Leclerc will have his work cut out in this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after his Ferrari team were forced to fit another control electronics power unit component, which in turn triggers a grid penalty.

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According to the F1.com website, Ferrari replaced the Energy Store and Control Electronics on Leclerc’s engine before the season opening Bahrain Grand Prix.

Charles Leclerc trails Max Verstappen by 25 points

The Monegasque then retired when in contention for a podium behind the two Red Bulls.

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As teams are only permitted to use two control electronics components per season without penalty, Leclerc’s move to a third for race two in Jeddah ensures he will have at least a 10-place grid drop this Sunday – and potentially more if they replace any other parts – and increases the chances of him taking a further penalty later in the season.

Leclerc heads into this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 25 points adrift of championship leader Max Verstappen.

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WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (AFTER ONE OF 23 RACES)

Drivers

1. Max Verstappen (NED) 25 pts, 2. Sergio Perez (MEX) 18, 3. Fernando Alonso (ESP) 15, 4. Carlos Sainz (ESP) 12, 5. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 10, 6. Lance Stroll (CAN) 8, 7. George Russell (GBR) 6, 8. Valtteri Bottas (FIN) 4, 9. Pierre Gasly (FRA) 2, 10. Alexander Albon (THA) 1, 11. Yuki Tsunoda (JPN) 0, 12. Logan Sargeant (USA) 0, 13. Kevin Magnussen (DEN) 0, 14. Nyck de Vries (NED) 0, 15. Nico Hulkenberg (GER) 0, 16. Zhou Guanyu (CHN) 0, 17. Lando Norris (GBR) 0, 18. Esteban Ocon (FRA) 0, 19. Charles Leclerc (MON) 0, 20. Oscar Piastri (AUS)

Constructors

1. Red Bull 43 pts, 2. Aston Martin-Mercedes 23, 3. Mercedes 16, 4. Ferrari 12, 5. Alfa Romeo 4, 6. Alpine-Renault 2, 7. Williams-Mercedes 1, 8. AlphaTauri-Red Bull 0, 9. Haas-Ferrari 0, 10. McLaren-Mercedes 0

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