Alexandre
Charles Leclerc will face a major challenge at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the second round of the World Championship of Formula 1. The Monegasque driver of Scuderia Ferrari will start with a 10-place penalty on the starting gridfollowing the change of an essential component of his single-seater. What is the cause of this penalty? What are the consequences for Leclerc and his team? What are the characteristics of the Jeddah circuit, which is hosting F1 for the third time?
What is the cause of this penalty?
The cause of Charles Leclerc's penalty in Jeddah is the change of the electronic control unit (ECU) of his Ferrari. This is a part subject to an annual quota by the FIA, and Leclerc has already used two boxes from the first race of the season in Bahrain, where he retired due to engine failure.
He will use his 3rd electronic box in JeddahThis change will result in an automatic 10-place grid penalty for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
What are the consequences for Leclerc and his team?
The consequences for Leclerc and his Ferrari team are important, because the 10-place penalty relegates him at best to 11th place on the starting grid, if he qualifies first. This will complicate his race and his chances of scoring points, especially since the Jeddah circuit is very fast and winding, with few passing zones.
Ferrari will therefore have to adapt its strategy to try to climb as high as possible in the rankings and win as many points as possible.
Leclerc's reaction to the penalty was quite positive and motivated. He does not let this situation get him down and he will fight to get back up as much as possible.
Ferrari director Frederic Vasseur said Jeddah will be a "different story" to Bahrain and that he is confident in the car's potential.
What are the characteristics of the Jeddah circuit?
The Jeddah circuit is an urban circuit located on the corniche of the city on the Red Sea. It was built in 2021 and hosts for the third time the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
It is the longest circuit on the calendar with 6.174 kilometers and the fastest with an average speed of 250 km/h, similar to the Monza circuit
It has 27 turns, some of them very tight and difficult. The lap record is held by Lewis Hamilton with 1 min 27 s 511 in 2021.
We can't say that the year starts well!
Hoping that this damn box does not start to act up again because question performance Ferrari are above Redbull but unfortunately they eat too fast this is tire 🛞