Scuderia Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc will receive a 10-grid demotion penalty as early as the second round due to the introduction of the third control electronics at the 2023 F1 Saudi Grand Prix. Ferrari have been forced to install a new electronic control unit in Leclerc’s car following engine failures at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.
The change automatically dropped the grid for the second round of the Jeddah Grand Prix by ten places, leaving Leclerc trailing into the weekend. Each driver can use two stages of control electronics during the season, but Leclerc had already used up half of his allotment when Ferrari opted to reset his power unit ahead of the Bahrain F1 Grand Prix. Reliability was one of the key issues new team principal Frédéric Vasseur had to work out over the winter, but so far Ferrari can’t seem to shake the gremlins that have plagued the 2022 campaign. “We had two different problems on Sunday, one on Sunday morning when we started the engine and one during the race,” explained Vasseur. “Unfortunately both times it was a problem with the electronics control box, something I have never experienced before,” he said. But unfortunately we only have two banks of control electronics this season, so we have to take a penalty in Jeddah.” Since Baku last year, Ferrari has chosen to run lower power engines to reduce the risk of failure. However, a lot of work has been done over the winter to improve durability, and despite problems in Bahrain, Vasseur added that he would not cut power as a precaution for future races.Charles Leclerc repairs championship leader Max Verstappen by 25 points going into this weekend’s Saudi Grand Prix. Understandably disappointed after failing to score any points in the season opener, Vasseur said he was not worried about Leclerc’s mentality and motivation. “Charles was in the factory Wednesday morning after Tuesday’s tire test,” said Vasseur. “We gave a speech at the factory with the workers, so we all went on stage together. Charles is clearly motivated and we’ve only done one out of 23 races. “He pushes the team all the way and tries to do the best for everyone. Penalties are not good news, but they are not the end of the season. What is happening in Jeddah and even the penalties?” “Let’s see what the result will be even if there is. “Nothing. ” Leclerc finished second after setting the fastest lap in last year’s race in Jeddah. The high speed of the Saudi Arabian street circuit is expected to further demonstrate the strength of Ferrari’s SF-23 in straight line speed.
