--- title: "Ferrari’s Leclerc Already Hit With 10-Place Grid Penalty for Sunday’s F1 Race" description: "Charles Leclerc can't catch a break thanks to [Ferrari's ongoing incompetence]() in [Formula 1](). The Italian squad confirmed it had to replace the energy store and control electronics on Charles Leclerc’s power unit ahead of this weekend's Saudi Arabian F1…" date: "2023-03-15" modified: "2023-03-15" authors: - name: "Jerry Perez" job_title: "Deputy Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/ferraris-leclerc-already-hit-with-10-place-grid-penalty-for-sundays-f1-race" categories: - "F1" - "News" - "Racing" --- # Ferrari’s Leclerc Already Hit With 10-Place Grid Penalty for Sunday’s F1 Race ![]() *\Getty\* Charles Leclerc can't catch a break thanks to [Ferrari's ongoing incompetence]() in [Formula 1](). The Italian squad confirmed it had to replace the energy store and control electronics on Charles Leclerc’s power unit ahead of this weekend's Saudi Arabian F1 Grand Prix. This automatically triggers a 10-place grid penalty, meaning the highest Leclerc can start on Sunday is 11th place. Per the FIA regulations, each car is allowed two "control electronics components" per season, and this marks Leclerc's third component in just two races. However, it can only go from bad to worse for the Monegasque, because there is a potential for additional penalties should Ferrari replace more parts as it looks to resolve its engine woes. “On Sunday, we had two different issues,” Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur told the [media]() on Wednesday. “The first one was on the Sunday morning, when we did the fire up, and the second one was in the race. Unfortunately, it was two times the control unit, the ECU." ![]() **Getty** “It’s something that we never experienced in the past. I hope now it’s under control, but we have a deep analysis of this. Unfortunately, we’ll have to take the penalty in Jeddah, because we have only a pool of two control units for the season," he added. Using Vasseur's own words, it is unfortunate. Leclerc was all but guaranteed a podium position at the [season-opening race in Bahrain]() when his car unexpectedly came to a halt. What could've been a minor points deficit to Red Bull's Max Verstappen is now a 25-point gap. Not exactly how the championship hopeful wanted to start the season. Leclerc is now going to start halfway down the field at Jeddah and must avoid getting tangled up with others as he fights his way to the front. It's safe to assume that by the time he gets there—*if* he gets there—it'll be too late to fight for the first or second spot. Third might be as high as he can climb, though it'll be interesting to see [how the Red Bulls perform]() and if Aston Martin is still a podium contender. “He’s full push with the team, trying to get the best for everyone," Vasseur added. "The penalty is not good news, but it’s not the end of the season. Let’s see what happens in Jeddah, and what could be the outcome, even with the penalty, but don’t imagine for half a second he could be demotivated. “He’s fully convinced, he’s working with us, pushing the team, pushing everybody in a positive way. And nothing else.” *Got a tip? Email us at tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter. ### Author social links [Instagram]()