Leclerc faces grid penalty blow ahead of Abu Dhabi GP
ABU DHABI: Ferrari’s hopes of clinching their first Formula One constructors’ championship since 2008 suffered a significant setback as Charles Leclerc was handed a 10-place grid penalty for Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The penalty was imposed after Ferrari replaced the battery pack in Leclerc’s car following his fastest lap in Friday’s first practice session at Yas Marina.
Leclerc, who clocked a best time of 1:24.321, led a competitive session where McLaren’s Lando Norris was second fastest with a time of 1:24.542. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and George Russell rounded out the top four. Ferrari are currently 21 points behind McLaren in the constructors’ standings, with 44 points still up for grabs in the season finale.
Adding an extra layer of intrigue to the weekend, Leclerc shared the track with his younger brother, Arthur Leclerc, who filled in for Carlos Sainz in the first practice. This marks a special occasion for the Leclerc family, though Charles faces a daunting challenge starting further down the grid on race day.
Meanwhile, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will also serve as a farewell for seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes. Hamilton, who has been with the team since 2013, is set to join Ferrari next season as Carlos Sainz’s replacement, setting the stage for a thrilling new chapter in his illustrious career.
