Charles Leclerc hit with Ferrari engine handicap at new Spanish GP

Charles Leclerc will be forced to run an older-specification Ferrari power unit at this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix, a direct consequence of the heavy crash that ended his Italian GP hopes at Monza.

Why it matters:

The decision leaves Leclerc at a potential performance handicap around the 22-corner Madring circuit, the new Madrid venue that replaces Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya for the next decade. It also shows how one costly mistake can ripple through a team's engine programme.

The details:

• Leclerc crashed on lap two at Monza, suffering a 60g impact after running wide at Parabolica and hitting the tyre barrier.
• He had started third on the grid, targeting a podium at Ferrari's home race.
• Ferrari had only just introduced its first power unit upgrade of the season at Monza, utilising the FIA's latest ADUO (additional development upgrade opportunities) update.
• In light of the crash, the team has opted to fit a pre-ADUO unit from its pool for Spain.
• The upgraded unit is expected to return for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in a fortnight.

Between the lines:

The Monza shunt has proven doubly costly. Beyond the race-ending damage, Ferrari has had to compromise its engine strategy, sacrificing the latest specification for a weekend to manage reliability and preserve its pool of power units.

What's next:

Leclerc will aim to limit the damage in Spain, with the ADUO-updated engine expected back in his car for Baku. How much the older unit costs him around the new circuit will be a key storyline of the weekend.