Is Charles Leclerc Set to Incur a Grid Penalty for Key F1 Change After Heavy Crash at Saudi Arabia Practice?

The Corniche Circuit in Jeddah is the fastest street circuit in the world. And the track with 27 high-speed corners experienced its first taste of Formula 1 racing action this Friday. However, at Turn 22, right where the name of the circuit is advertised, poetically, we had our first big crash of the weekend as Charles Leclerc ended the FP2 session with less than five minutes remaining.

Leclerc, who was on a hot lap, was pushing his Ferrari to its absolute limits on medium tires. But he lost his rear at Turn 22 and before he knew it, his car was straight into the wall.

As many had predicted, a crash at this tunnel-like, high-speed circuit will all but wreck anyone’s car. And Leclerc just proved that.

After the crash, the No.16 car’s front and rear suspension and both wings were nowhere to be seen. The car may have also suffered significant chassis damage and possibly damage to the gearbox that could worry Ferrari and its fans.

Will Charles Leclerc get a grid penalty in the race?

First of all, there seems to be no damage to Leclerc’s gearbox. However, if there is, changing it won’t lead to a grid penalty, as is usually the case.

This is because teams can only replace parts without getting a penalty until FP2. Assuming a damaged gearbox after the crash, had this crash happened in Qualifying or even in FP3, Leclerc would’ve received a grid penalty for the race.

Although Ferrari may only get a warning from FIA as they’ll be breaking the curfew to repair Leclerc’s car, it will be a long night for the Ferrari mechanics ahead of the qualifying.

Who seems to have the edge in Jeddah?

Mercedes. As was expected.

Lewis Hamilton topped the timing sheets while his teammate Valtteri Bottas was second fastest. But breaking the recurring theme of ‘Why is it always you three?’, Pierre Gasly replaced championship leader Max Verstappen as third fastest.

Red Bull seemed to be lacking in pace compared to their rivals, but it may also be because Verstappen had one eye on qualifying. Yet his teammate, Sergio Perez, would need to up his game in the coming sessions as he was only ninth fastest.

Overall, the coming sessions, especially the Qualifying, could get quite tricky as drivers will have to be in extreme sync with each other as they’re turning blind into a corner at over 150mph.

Also Read: Saudi Arabian GP: Why is Jeddah F1 Circuit Being Compared to the Famed Macau Track by Ricciardo & Co