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Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc is bracing for a potential grid penalty that could disrupt his plans for the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The Monegasque driver has been navigating the Formula 1 season with limited power unit resources, and with just three races left, he risks a setback due to component usage limits.
Leclerc has maxed out his allocation for critical power unit elements, such as the internal combustion engine (ICE), turbocharger, MGU-H, MGU-K, energy store, and control electronics.
His fourth and final power unit was deployed at the Dutch Grand Prix, putting him on thin ice in terms of further changes, which would trigger a penalty under FIA regulations.
Currently, Leclerc is on his seventh race with his latest ICE, an extended run that has also included two sprint events, straining the component and increasing the chance of failure.
With only the exhaust system still below its allowed limits—having used six out of the permitted eight—Ferrari is in a delicate situation, balancing reliability with performance to avoid an unscheduled engine swap that would mean a grid drop.
The timing is especially tense given Ferrari’s fight with McLaren for third place in the constructors’ standings.
After the recent Brazilian Grand Prix, Ferrari is 36 points behind McLaren, and a penalty for Leclerc could make it harder to catch up in these final rounds.
Every point is vital, with Ferrari keen to maximize their championship position as the season closes.
Leclerc has expressed hopes that Ferrari will be strong enough in Las Vegas to avoid the penalty and perform well without needing any component changes.
In an interview with DAZN, he noted how close he is to the limit, emphasizing that Ferrari must carefully manage the car’s setup in the lead-up to the Grand Prix.
His caution reflects Ferrari’s strategy to optimize every remaining race and prevent setbacks that could give McLaren a further edge.
Despite the component concerns, Leclerc was optimistic following Brazil. Although McLaren was quick throughout the weekend, Ferrari managed to stay competitive and reduce the damage, losing only four points in the constructors’ standings.
Leclerc took this as a small victory, viewing it as a positive result in their ongoing rivalry with McLaren.
Looking ahead, the Las Vegas track’s potential for overtaking could offer a slight advantage should Leclerc need to start from a lower grid position.
The 2023 Grand Prix saw a record 82 overtakes, which could help Ferrari’s efforts to recover positions if necessary.
With such high stakes, Ferrari will be aiming to avoid penalties and secure every available point in the intense showdown with McLaren.
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