Ferrari Sees Reliability Disaster As They Replace Both Power Units Ahead Of Saudi Arabian GP
Hold on to your seats, race fans! The second race of the Formula 1 season is already heating up as Ferrari's dynamic duo, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, gear up for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix with brand-spanking-new engines.
Apparently, the Italian team isn't taking any chances after the Bahrain GP season opener. Ferrari is introducing new power unit elements on both cars as a "further precaution," according to reports.
Leclerc and Sainz will both have new V6 internal combustion engines under the hood. But that's not all – Leclerc also has a new MGU-H and new control electronics, which puts him on his third version of that component this season, resulting in a 10-place grid penalty. Oops!
Remember Leclerc's early retirement in Bahrain due to a problem with the control electronics? Well, that's why Ferrari is taking extra steps to ensure that doesn't happen again. Better safe than sorry, right?
In an unexpected twist, Sainz also has a new V6 engine for the race in Jeddah. It seems like Ferrari isn't the only team that's been forced into making changes. McLaren has given Lando Norris a new Mercedes engine, turbocharger, MGU-H, and MGU-K.
Norris's Bahrain Grand Prix was ruined due to a pneumatic pressure problem, and he also suffered a software issue that temporarily stopped his energy deployment. It's unclear which of these problems (if any) prompted the team to make the changes.
But wait, there's more! Sergio Perez's Red Bull also underwent a power unit change ahead of Friday practice in Saudi Arabia. He has a new Honda energy store and control electronics, which means he's one change away from facing a grid penalty like Leclerc.
All these engine swaps and changes are certainly keeping things exciting in the world of Formula 1. Let's see how it all plays out in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix!