Charles Leclerc, Sauber, Red Bull Ring, 2018

Leclerc set for grid penalty due to gearbox change

2018 Austrian Grand Prix

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Charles Leclerc is set to take a five-place grid penalty for the Austrian Grand Prix as his Sauber’s gearbox is being replaced.

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Leclerc stopped his car at the end of final practice due to a problem with his car. At the time Leclerc said he thought there was “a problem with the engine”. He ended the session in 10th place.

Drivers are required to complete six consecutive races between gearbox changes. As Leclerc has not done this, a penalty will be applied.

The 20-year-old reached Q3 for the first time in his career at last weekend’s French Grand Prix, where he lined up eighth on the grid.

The FIA has also confirmed Fernando Alonso has had a new turbocharger fitted to his McLaren today. This is his third of the season, which will not incur a penalty, but as he has now reached his maximum allocation he will be penalised if he uses another.

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Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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5 comments on “Leclerc set for grid penalty due to gearbox change”

  1. Profile Photo

    Vettel fan 17 (@)
    30th June 2018, 13:30

    Shame, he could have probably reach Q3

    1. Profile Photo

      Ben Rowe (@thegianthogweed)
      30th June 2018, 13:48

      And he still can. It doesn’t prevent them from qualifying. I am certainly predicting that both Saubers should manage to get through to at least Q2 though. The car really is getting better this year.

      What I don’t know is that if he qualifies in q3 and gets moved back, does he then get the option of what tyres to start on. I hope so as that should still give him a decent opportunity.

  2. Darren
    30th June 2018, 13:33

    Great penalty system. Oh, and you can barely see the driver with the Halo in the way ….

    1. Profile Photo

      Aaditya (@neutronstar)
      30th June 2018, 13:37

      Yeah, let’s cry ourselves to death

  3. Sush meerkat
    30th June 2018, 14:57

    The FIA has also confirmed Fernando Alonso has had a new turbocharger fitted to his McLaren today.

    Huh, McLarens continued issues with reliability, strange that

Comments are closed.