Ferrari: 'This kept Charles' engine cool and the rest didn't'

Despite the fact that there is a lot wrong with the power source of the SF1000, the mechanics at Ferrari have managed to introduce a little cleverness. The drivers can start their car from the cockpit, while other teams need a starter to do so.

As we know, there is a lot wrong with Ferrari's power source this year. There is a lot of power missing and performance is seriously disappointing in all teams powered by a Maranello engine. But now it appears that the Italians have had a useful technical gadget in their car since 2017. The driver can start the engine himself from the car, while other drivers have to signal their team to start the engine.

Looks like a normal car

According to the Italian version of Motorsport.com, the power source comes to life by the driver activating the energy supplied by the MGU-K. This can be done either from standstill in the garage or on the track. In this sense, Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel look a little like the average car driver. They turn a key or press a button and the engine starts. The process is a bit more complicated than that, but the principle is the same.

This may seem an unimportant detail, but Leclerc benefited from it during the restart of Q2 in Sochi. Iñaki Rueda, Ferrari's strategist, explains how that worked. "Most teams sent their drivers outside before they knew when the session would restart. We did the same with Charles, but he was able to turn his engine off. This kept his engine nice and cool, and the drivers around him didn't."