Ferrari’s much-anticipated development of the power unit will make its debut at the Russian Grand Prix this weekend, but it will trigger a starting penalty for Charles Leclerc that will force him to start from the end of the grid …
During the summer, Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto said the team had been working on “significant” development of new engine components that it was planning to introduce in the second half of the year.
READ MORE: Binotto Says Work On Ferrari’s 2022 Car Is “Advanced”
The regulations restrict Formula 1 engine manufacturers to upgrading each component per year, and Ferrari has been found to be using a 2020 spec hybrid system.
On the eve of the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi, Ferrari said that the new hybrid system will be introduced to “gain experience for the 2022 car project,” with the Italian team introducing an entirely new PU, in addition to a car that will be on comprehensive designed new technical regulations.
The team added: “There was a lot of technical and logistical effort and in order to be able to use it as soon as possible, the introduction will be staggered between the drivers.
“Charles will be the first to have the new hybrid system. This decision is a precautionary measure regarding the potential risk of using the battery damaged in his GP accident in Hungary.
“Leclerc will have a brand new unit in Sochi and will start at the end of the network. When the updated hybrid system will be installed in Carlos’ car will be decided after an assessment of the right compromise between competitiveness and the impact of the penalty. “
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Leclerc has already made use of its permissible power allocation this season and therefore the introduction of a new motor triggers a network penalty.
Sainz will run the old specification unit in Russia and will likely get the upgrade at the following race in Turkey which will also result in a start penalty.
