Charles Leclerc is set to take a grid penalty later this Formula 1 season after Ferrari found his engine was “irreparably damaged” in his first-lap accident in the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Leclerc was a blameless victim of Lance Stroll’s first-corner error at the Hungaroring, when the Aston Martin driver locked up under braking and then slid into the side of the Ferrari while trying to take evasive action.
The accident ended Leclerc’s race immediately and Ferrari’s post-race analysis at its Maranello factory has revealed terminal damage to the power unit.
Ferrari says it will not be used again and that means Leclerc will likely switch to a third engine from the Belgian Grand Prix.
Drivers are restricted to three sets of major engine components in a season before automatic grid penalties are applied.
Losing this engine from the pool means it is “highly likely” Leclerc will need a fourth engine to help complete the 12 remaining races that are scheduled for this season, Ferrari has admitted.
Leclerc’s team-mate Carlos Sainz is also on his third power unit of the season already after the team broke curfew last weekend to change his engine, having spotted something irregular on the data after Friday practice.
Sainz’s engine was sent back to Maranello for inspection and has not yet been ruled out for future use.
