Canadian Grand Prix: Charles Leclerc takes grid penalty as Ferrari confirms power unit 'beyond repair'
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc needs to use a third control electronics element of the season, which has seen him incur a 10-place grid penalty; watch every session from Montreal on Sky Sports F1
Last Updated: 18/06/22 7:08am
Charles Leclerc has taken a 10-place grid penalty at this weekend's Canadian GP after Ferrari confirmed his failed power unit from the Azerbaijan GP is "beyond repair".
Leclerc's DNF in Baku last weekend marked the second time in three races that he had retired from the lead following a devastating engine failure in Barcelona last month, and the team confirmed that the two incidents may have been related.
The concern leading into Friday's two practice sessions in Montreal was Leclerc would have to use a fourth turbocharger, which would take him beyond the three permitted for the season under the regulations.
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However, the FIA confirmed at the end of Practice Two that the Monegasque driver has instead incurred the 10-place penalty for Sunday's race due to a new control electronics element being installed - his third of the year. Only two changes of control electronics are permitted throughout the season.
"Investigation confirmed Charles' Baku PU is beyond repair," a Ferrari statement said.
"One possible cause of the failure is that it occurred as a consequence of the PU problem in Spain.
"We are now working on countermeasures to strengthen the package and the situation is under control."
A strong start to the season that saw Leclerc win two of the first three races helped him open up a 46-point lead over Verstappen, but his Sunday struggles since then - despite taking pole at each of the last four races - have enabled the Dutchman to establish a 34-point advantage in their contest.
Speaking at his press conference on Friday shortly after Ferrari's announcement, Leclerc confirmed that the fact Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has plenty of overtaking opportunities led the team considering taking the penalty.
"Obviously, we are not in the best situation possible," Leclerc said.
"It's up to us to choose the best track where you want to get a penalty - if you get a penalty.
"And this is one of the tracks where it's actually quite easy to overtake."
However, that may not be the end of the penalties for Leclerc and he could face having to start from the back of the grid on Sunday if Ferrari opt to introduce any other new parts over the course of the weekend.
