Ferrari, Charles Leclerc toward grid penalty: Frederic Vasseur explains

Vasseur heralds the decision that will force Leclerc into a penalty

The Jeddah weekend has not yet begun but it immediately promises to be complicated for Ferrari and for Charles Leclerc in particular: the Cavallino’s team principal, Frederic Vasseur, has in fact revealed the need to change the Monegasque’s car’s ECU, effectively forcing him into a penalty to be served at the start of the Saudi Arabian GP.

“We encountered two problems,” explained Vasseur, during a press briefing. “One on Sunday morning, switching on the power unit, the other during the Bahrain Gp. Both times the snag, which has never occurred before, depended on the power unit. After thorough analysis we believe we have the issue under control but unfortunately, due to the replacement of the component, Charles will have to serve a penalty in Jeddah.”

The number of positions Leclerc will have to give up in the Grand Prix on Sunday the 19th will be officially confirmed in the run-up to the race weekend, when the FIA will verify the actual changed components.