Charles Leclerc has revealed that Ferrari is still evaluating whether the power unit used at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza can be salvaged. If not, a grid penalty is a likely consequence. The Monegasque driver also highlighted a more fundamental issue with the team's one-lap pace that is unrelated to reliability.
Leclerc had an ADUO-upgraded Ferrari power unit fitted at Monza, but never got to use it in race conditions after a dramatic crash at Parabolica sent him into the barriers. The incident forced the team to revert to an older specification engine for the following race at the MADring.
When asked about the status of the Monza power unit, Leclerc gave a brief, non-committal update. "For now, of what I know, they're still checking it; we'll see," he told the media. "I don't know yet. If we manage to save it, then that's great. If not, then probably that's a penalty at some point."
Beyond the immediate reliability concern, Leclerc pointed to a pattern he views as more structural: Ferrari's qualifying performance lags behind its race pace. This gap is costing the team on Sundays before the race even starts. "For sure, I think our car is a strong race car, but we just need to try and understand how to unlock more performance in qualifying," he said.
Leclerc traced the deficit to how the power unit deploys energy over a single lap versus a race stint. "We know that deployment is even more of a struggle, I feel, on a Saturday than on a Sunday, and for that, we don't have any quick fixes," he added. This is a rare admission that the issue isn't something Ferrari expects to solve through a single upgrade or setup tweak.
He added that even marginal gains would matter: "But whatever we can do to try and gain a bit of performance on the Saturday would be very helpful for our race result." Taken together, the comments describe a team secure in its race-day package but still searching for answers over one lap.
The combination of a possible grid penalty and qualifying weakness could blunt Ferrari's ability to convert Sunday strength into results. With tight technical regulations, every lost grid position is costly, especially at circuits where overtaking is difficult. Ferrari needs to find solutions quickly to avoid losing momentum in the remainder of the season.
Read Also
Mercedes open to F1 ADUO rethink after Alonso talks with FIA over Honda. Toto Wolff admits Honda needs more help to be competitive.
Lando Norris criticizes Monaco sprint format for 2027, saying only one practice session leaves no room to build up and forces drivers to take risks early.
Race of Champions will make its New Zealand debut in Wellington on January 9-10, 2027, with Vettel, Bottas, and Paddon confirmed.
Continue with Google
Discussion (0)
Join the Discussion!
Sign in easily to start commenting, replying, and interacting with other readers.
Latest Comments
No comments yet. Be the first!