Ferrari reveal that Charles Leclerc’s engine was ‘irreparably damaged’ in the multi-car crash in Hungary and explain how the F1 driver will be forced to use his final engine in Belgium at the end of the month with half of the season still to go
- Ferrari have revealed that Charles Leclerc’s engine was ‘irreparably damaged’
- Leclerc became one of several drivers to retire at the first corner in Hungary
- He was hit from behind by Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin and forced out of the race
- Ferrari released a statement saying Leclerc ‘robbed’ Leclerc of ‘a great result’
- They have also explained how the incident has financially impacted the team
Ferrari have revealed that Charles Leclerc’s engine was ‘irreparably damaged’ in the first-corner pile-up at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Leclerc became one of several drivers to retire at the first corner after being hit from behind by Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin.
Ferrari have released a statement saying that the incident ‘robbed’ Leclerc of ‘a great result at the Hungaroring’ and explained how the crash has financially impacted the team.
Ferrari have revealed that Charles Leclerc’s engine was ‘irreparably damaged’ in Hungary
Ferrari’s statement read: ‘The accident in which Charles Leclerc was an innocent victim shortly after the start of the Hungarian Grand Prix came at the cost of robbing him of the chance of a great result at the Hungaroring.
‘However, examination of the number 16 SF21 carried out on Tuesday in Maranello, revealed that on top of this, the engine was irreparably damaged and cannot be used again, following the impact from Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin.
Leclerc became one of several drivers to retire at the first corner after being hit from behind
Leclerc was hit from behind by Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin and forced out of the race
‘This is a further blow for Scuderia Ferrari and the Monegasque driver. This damage has a financial impact and also racing ramifications, given that over the remaining 12 race weekends this season, it is highly likely the team could be obliged to fit a fourth ICE to Charles’ SF21, thus incurring grid penalties.’
As it stands, drivers are restricted to three power-units over the course of the 2021 season – putting Leclerc under pressure as his second engine ‘irreparably damaged’ in Hungary.
Therefore, Leclerc will be forced to use his final engine for his next race in Belgium at the end of the month…with half of the season still to go.
Leclerc (above) will be forced to use his final engine for the next race in Belgium at the end of the month with half of the season still to go
In addition, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner announced that Sergio Perez had also lost an engine after he was hit by Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas at the first corner.
While Max Verstappen could also face grid penalties later this season after Honda discovered a crack in one of his engines in Hungary.
However, Honda are still hopeful they will be able to fix the engine in time for Verstappen’s practice sessions.
Nevertheless, they will not be sure until the power-unit is examined at Sakura in Japan over F1’s summer break.