Hammer blow for Ferrari: Leclerc gets grid penalty in Abu Dhabi

Charles Leclerc and Ferrari were fastest in the first free practice session in Abu Dhabi, but they've been hit with a big setback. The Monegasque had to change his energy store and will take a 10-place grid penalty for the final Formula 1 race.

It's the worst possible time for a grid penalty at Ferrari. The Italian team is still battling McLaren for the constructors' title. They are just 21 points behind McLaren, and this 10-place grid penalty dents their hopes in their title battle. In the first free practice, it was already clear that Leclerc had a problem, as the Monegasque's SF-24 spent the first half of the session in the garage. Leclerc is also battling for second place in the driver's championship. He's just eight points behind Lando Norris.

For Leclerc, the weekend in Abu Dhabi began as one to remember. He spent the first free practice alongside his younger brother, Arthur. For the first time in Formula 1, two brothers were active in a session with the same team.

Source: FIA

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