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Ferrari to debut updated F1 hybrid system at Russian GP

Ferrari to debut updated F1 hybrid system at Russian GP

Ferrari has confirmed it will debut the updated hybrid system on its Formula 1 power unit at this weekend’s Russian Grand Prix, resigning Charles Leclerc to a grid penalty.



Ferrari revealed over the summer break that it was planning to bring a “significant step” in the performance of its power unit by bringing evolutions for its power unit through the season half of the season.

Under the regulations, teams are permitted to make one specification update per year on each of its power unit components.

Ferrari F1 chief Mattia Binotto previously said that the team would not debut the updated power unit until after the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, which took place earlier this month.

In the team’s preview of the Russian Grand Prix this weekend, Ferrari revealed that Leclerc would be taking the updated power unit at the Sochi Autodrom to mark its on-track debut.

It means Leclerc will have to start Sunday’s race from the back of the grid as a result of taking a new power unit, having lost one of his earlier engines in the first-lap crash with Lance Stroll in Hungary.

Teammate Carlos Sainz will have to wait to get the updated hybrid system as part of a staggered approach between the drivers.

“Its main purpose is to gain experience for the 2022 car project,” the team said in its Sochi preview.

“A great deal of effort has gone into this, both technically and logistically, and so as to be able to use it as soon as possible, its introduction will be staggered between the drivers.

“Charles will be the first to have the new hybrid system. This decision is a precautionary measure relating to the potential risk of using the battery pack damaged in his Hungarian GP accident.

“In Sochi, Leclerc will have a brand new power unit and will therefore start from the back of the grid.

“As to when the updated hybrid system is fitted to Carlos’ car, that will be decided following an evaluation of the right compromise between competitiveness and the impact of the penalty.”

The news comes as a boost to Ferrari in its fight for third place in the constructors’ championship with McLaren, having lost ground on the British team at Monza.

McLaren scored the first 1-2 of the season in Italy, allowing it to open up 13.5-point lead over Ferrari in the teams’ standings with eight races to go this season.

Leclerc is not the only driver heading to Sochi with a grid penalty pending. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen will serve a three-place grid drop after being deemed predominantly to blame for the accident with F1 title rival Lewis Hamilton at Monza two weeks ago.

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