F1: Leclerc, more powerful engine and penalty coming. Ferrari agitated

Leclerc will fit new hybrid that will boost performance, but reliability problems remain

New things are coming to Ferrari: Charles Leclerc will mount at Spa the new hybrid engine that will allow the Monegasque to gain some horsepower and get closer in performance to Max Verstappen even on the straights. The change will cost the Monegasque five positions: the Maranello stable chose the Belgian Grand Prix precisely because of the long straights that will allow the Ferrarista to make a comeback.

However, there remains a climate of concern in the Cavallino team: reliability problems will remain, as power unit and electronics operations manager Luigi Fraboni explained. “The one at Spa-Francorchamps is a very severe circuit for power unit reliability the longest of the season and usually the mileages done over the weekend are among the highest. There are very long straights that put a strain on all the components and require specific durability homologation on the dyno.”

“In terms of performance, it is the track-along with Monza-where engine power has the greatest effect on lap time and simultaneously also the one on which energy management has a high performance impact on the final result, especially in qualifying. The various ups and downs, and in particular that of Eau Rouge-Raidillon can be critical for the various cooling and lubrication systems of the power unit on which some specific calibration may be needed to be tested in the Friday sessions.”