Leclerc has escaped the Canadian engine swap penalty for the time being

In the modern cars of the hybrid era of Formula 1, the drive units consist of several sub-points. The most important are the V6 Otto engine, the turbocharger and the two electric motors MGU-K and MGU-H.

To control costs, each driver is entitled to a certain number of these components for the entire season, which varies from time to time. When Ferrari announced the ailing Baku engine had been damaged beyond repair, the threat of first-place fines loomed on the horizon from Leclerc – which is the “penalty” for any driver for exceeding the parts count which he is entitled to.

Ferrari had to change the complete powerplant of the Monegasque F1-75 to Azerbaijan in view of the Montreal GP -9. of this year’s Formula 1 season on these three days. The engine trio is new, but this does not result in a penalty because Leclerc is still within the limit of the three engines to which it is entitled this year.

But that wasn’t the case for the Turbo. If Ferrari had installed the new supercharger in its F1-75, Leclerc would have been penalized with ten places at the start. Instead, as the regulations allowed, he fitted an older turbo that Monegasque had used earlier that year, escaping the penalty – for now.

At the moment, because Scuderia is not forbidden – if it deems it appropriate or if it wants – to put a new turbo from the first tests to the qualifiers in Montreal and accept the penalty. But why would he want to do that?

For now, choosing the race that aims to change a key component is a strategic game. For example, Ferrari (like any team with similar problems) may choose to fit the new part and incur a penalty at a track that allows for easy overtaking – such as Jill Villeneuve’s circuit in Montreal.

Either he can choose to place the additional component leading to a penalty in a three day period knowing that the track is undoubtedly in favor of the opponent, in this case the Red Bull RB18, and to minimize point damage.

In any case, Ferrari hasn’t yet decided to do anything like that with the turbocharged complex mechanical diamond on Charles Leclerc’s back. “It is possible that the Baku problem is a consequence of the collapse of the power plant unit in Spain. At the moment we are taking countermeasures to strengthen the entire block. [ισχύος] and the situation is under control”Ferrari said in a statement.