FIA announce HUGE Ferrari penalty in major title twist at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after…read more
Charles Leclerc has been dealt a significant setback ahead of the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the season’s climactic finale, with Ferrari still in contention for the Constructors’ Championship. The FIA confirmed that Leclerc will face a 10-place grid penalty due to a breach of Article 28.2 of the Sporting Regulations. The infraction occurred after a necessary battery pack replacement following issues in the first practice session, which limited his time on track.
This penalty comes as Ferrari trails McLaren by just 21 points in the Constructors’ standings. The Yas Marina Circuit provides Ferrari with a chance to overturn this deficit, but the grid penalty makes Leclerc’s task considerably tougher. Leclerc had a strong showing in FP1, which was notable as he and his brother Arthur became the first siblings to compete for the same team on the same weekend. However, Ferrari’s ambitions to secure a crucial 1-2 finish, which Leclerc deemed necessary for championship success, are now under greater strain.
The penalty is particularly frustrating for Ferrari as they had gained ground on McLaren in the previous race in Qatar, aided by a penalty for McLaren’s Lando Norris and strategic missteps by their rivals. Despite these challenges, Ferrari will need a stellar performance from both Leclerc and teammate Carlos Sainz in Abu Dhabi. Leclerc expressed confidence that the circuit’s characteristics might better suit Ferrari’s SF-24 car compared to other tracks this season, but the penalty undoubtedly complicates their championship aspirations.
With the Constructors’ title on the line, the pressure is immense. Ferrari must execute flawless strategy and capitalize on any opportunities presented during the race if they hope to secure a dramatic championship victory in the season finale.
