Charles Leclerc F1 Would "Probably" Need To Take Grid Drop "At Some Point" If Ferrari Cannot Save His Monza Engine. Leclerc could face a grid penalty at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. 

Charles Leclerc has said he will "probably" need to take a grid penalty "at some point" during the F1 2026 season if he cannot get his engine at Monza to last. It came after Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur said next weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix at Baku could be "quite suitable" for a grid drop. (PlanetF1.com)

Leclerc crashes heavily in Ferrari's home race at Monza

Charles Leclerc fell out of Ferrari's home race at Monza earlier this month after a heavy crash out of the Parabolica corner on lap two. (PlanetF1.com)

It occurred on a weekend when Ferrari put in a second power unit upgrade of the FIA ADUO (Additional Upgrade and Development Opportunities) scheme. (FIA)

That engine was given up from Leclerc's allocation before last weekend's Spanish Grand Prix, where the Monegasque relied on a previous-spec power unit. An Italian publication, Motorsport.com, reported earlier this week that Leclerc's engine at Monza was not damaged permanently in the accident at Parabolica. However, it was said the engine would only be usable in practice sessions, with Leclerc set to take a fresh power unit and therefore a grid penalty for next weekend's Azerbaijan GP. Vasseur said he thought Baku could be "quite suitable" for taking a grid penalty. (Motorsport.com)

"We'll see when we have to take an engine penalty with Charles, but I think Baku should be quite suitable," he said in Spain. (PlanetF1.com)

Speaking to PlanetF1.com and other media, Leclerc said: "For now, from what I know, they are still checking it [the engine]. We'll see. "If we manage to save it, then that's great. (PlanetF1.com)

Leclerc is seen as a Baku specialist, having secured four consecutive pole positions at the Azerbaijan GP from 2021 to 2024. (Formula 1)

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Dee