The end of the 2024 season is fast approaching, and with it, Ferrari’s last hopes of winning the Constructors’ Championship against McLaren. But in a plot twist, just minutes after Free Practice 1, we learn that Charles Leclerc must change a component and will therefore face a penalty at the start of the race.
A penalty stemming from the regulations, which could complicate Leclerc’s task during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend. The penalty will be 10 grid positions, a significant handicap in closing the 21-point gap to their rival team.
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10-place grid penalty for Leclerc at the Abu Dhabi GP
Ferrari had a clear plan to try and take all the points on offer this weekend and surpass McLaren in the Constructors’ title race. But a technical issue threw a wrench in that strategy: an unexpected battery change for Leclerc. “We had been resuscitating the battery for a race or two, we knew it was going to happen,” admitted Fred Vasseur. Leclerc exceeded his battery quota for the season, and the sanction was immediate: a 10-place grid penalty. A tough blow, especially in such a decisive race as Abu Dhabi. This battery change occurred during Free Practice, and it acted like a dagger to Leclerc’s hopes of both catching McLaren and playing his own card for the championship. While it’s not a fatality, this penalty makes Ferrari’s mission even more complicated. Leclerc and Sainz now have to manage a delicate situation while hoping McLaren doesn’t perform as well as they fear.
BREAKING: Charles Leclerc has been handed a 10-place grid penalty for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after exceeding the battery allocation#F1 #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/a4Yr2sMFmA
— Formula 1 (@F1) December 6, 2024
Ferrari must deliver a perfect race
Even before this penalty, Charles Leclerc knew that everything would have to be perfect for Ferrari at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The Monegasque driver explained that the team “couldn’t afford any mistakes” if they still wanted a chance at the Constructors’ title. McLaren, on the other hand, arrives with strong potential on this circuit, and Ferrari will have to dominate the race. For that, a one-two finish seems like the only hope of gaining the upper hand, hoping that some Mercedes cars come between them and the McLaren drivers. Leclerc, even with his unshakable confidence, remains realistic. He knows that this weekend will be decisive, but he holds onto hope. “It’s possible, but everything has to go perfectly,” he says. Especially since Ferrari has never won on the Yas Marina circuit, making the task even more difficult.
A crucial weekend for Scuderia
While Abu Dhabi is often seen as a circuit favorable to other teams, Ferrari is banking on an aggressive strategy and solid performance to make the difference. But this plan is complicated by the new penalty. If Leclerc takes pole position on Saturday, he will still start from 11th place. He will need to perform the feat of climbing back to the top of the grid unless a racing incident gives him that opportunity. For the team, every point counts. With only 21 points behind McLaren, Ferrari will have to give it their all. This includes not only perfect race management but also hoping that outside factors play in their favor. McLaren, very strong this season, has no intention of being caught off guard, and Ferrari will need to capitalize on every opportunity to turn the tide.
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This article explores how Charles Leclerc’s penalty could jeopardize Ferrari’s chances of clinching the Constructors’ title at the Abu Dhabi GP. With a high-pressure race ahead, Ferrari will need to manage adversity, hoping for a perfect performance to catch McLaren and race toward victory.
Images: Scuderia Ferrari
