Charles Leclerc’s accident-damaged engine from Monza can still be used, but as a precaution will only be deployed as a rotation power unit in practice sessions
X-ray analyses have confirmed that Charles Leclerc’s power unit, which was involved in the crash at the Parabolica during the Italian Grand Prix, can be salvaged. However, Formula 1 regulations prohibit Ferrari’s engineers from starting the engine to actually check whether everything is in order or whether there might be problems with certain parts.
The sensor system linked to the 067/6 power unit has not detected any particular anomalies, so Ferrari will very likely use the unit – fitted with the ADUO2 update – in the first free practice session of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku.
Provided no problems arise (not all parts required for the engine’s FIA homologation can be replaced), Leclerc will continue to drive with this engine in the two remaining practice sessions.
However, it is almost certain that a new ADUO2 power unit will be fitted before qualifying, with which Leclerc is set to contest the remainder of the season, whilst the Monza unit will only be used for practice as a rotating internal combustion engine.
In this case, the Monegasque driver would face a penalty and start the race in Baku from last place, although there will be numerous overtaking opportunities on the long home straight, which ends with a hard braking zone before Turn 1.
Frederic Vasseur was the first to hint, after the Spanish Grand Prix, that a fifth engine would have to be used. In an interview with Canal+, he said: “We’ll see when we have to accept an engine penalty with Charles, but I think Baku should be quite suitable for that.”
The ADUO2 engine delivers a gain of around two tenths of a second per lap compared to the ADUO1 specification used by Leclerc in Spain.
Bearing in mind that Leclerc was just 0.006 seconds behind Lewis Hamilton in Q3 – who started fourth – and that the Monegasque driver was 0.189 seconds behind Lando Norris, who secured pole in the McLaren, it is possible that with a current power unit he could have secured a place on the front row, if not pole position itself.
In that case, Sunday’s race would probably have turned out differently for Ferrari too. Instead, the Grand Prix once again ended with the team outside the top three – for the fourth time in a row now.
