Leclerc penalty delivers big blow to Ferrari's title hopes

via X

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc will take a 10 place grid penalty at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in a major setback for the team's hopes of a first Formula One constructors' championship since 2008.

Leclerc set the fastest lap in the first practice session at Yas Marina on Friday but Ferrari then revealed they had to change the battery pack on his car, triggering an automatic penalty.

Ferrari are 21 points behind McLaren, last champions in 1998, with 44 still to be won on Sunday.

Leclerc, whose younger brother Arthur was also on track at the same time in the Ferrari usually driven by Carlos Sainz, lapped with a best time of one minute 24.321 seconds.

McLaren's Lando Norris was second fastest in 1:24.542, followed by the Mercedes pair of seven times world champion Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.

Sunday's race will be Hamilton's last for Mercedes before joining Ferrari as Sainz's replacement.

More from Sports

  • Qatar's sports minister, Madibo visit Canada's injured Kone

    Qatar's sports minister, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, and national team player Assim Madibo have visited Canada midfielder Ismael Kone to check on his health after he was injured during their World Cup game, the Qatar Football Association said on Wednesday.

  • Budimir gives Croatia win to eliminate Panama in Group L

    Ante Budimir has guided Croatia to a 1-0 win over a stubborn Panama side in their World Cup Group L clash on Tuesday, giving the Balkan side a crucial three points and eliminating the Central Americans on a night where the stakes were high for both sides.

  • England fail to break down Ghana in goalless draw

    England has failed to find a way through a resolute Ghana side and had to settle for a 0-0 draw in their second World Cup Group L match on Tuesday.

  • Ronaldo guides Portugal to big win over Uzbekistan

    Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score in six World Cups and Portugal’s all-time leading marksman at the global finals with two goals in Tuesday’s emphatic 5-0 Group K win over Uzbekistan in Houston.

  • US eases restrictions on Iran's world cup team

    The United States eased restrictions on the Iran squad's travel arrangements at the World Cup on Tuesday, allowing them to travel two days before their next match, the US Department of Homeland Security said.

Recently Played

Latest Blogs