Charles Leclerc with a 10-point penalty at the US Grand Prix

(Motorsport-Total.com) — Charles Leclerc will drop ten places on the grid for the Formula 1 US Grand Prix after Ferrari installed a new engine and turbocharger ahead of the FT3. Leclerc is currently battling Red Bull rival Sergio Perez for second place in the drivers’ championship after Max Verstappen clinched the title in Japan two weeks ago.

Red Bull also switched engines at Perez on Friday, lowering the rating by five places on the grid. Now Leclerc will also receive a penalty after Ferrari made the changes before the final practice at the Circuit of the Americas.

A statement from the FIA ​​confirms that Ferrari has acquired a sixth engine for this season for Leclerc and a sixth turbocharger for its power unit. Each of these changes will see him drop five places on the grid, which means Leclerc will drop ten places after qualifying.

Alonso, Perez and Cho with a penalty kick from five places

Fernando Alonso will be penalized along with Leclerc on the starting grid after the FIA ​​confirmed that Alpine had fitted the two-time World Championship power unit with a new engine. This means that Alonso drops five places from his qualifying position.

The Spaniard’s trade-off was not a coincidence after he fought it two races ago Retired in Singapore due to engine failure. In addition, Alfa Romeo driver Guanyu Zhou will also receive the five-place grid penalty after he also installed a new engine.

Leclerc missed Friday’s first practice session at CotA as Ferrari fielded young driver Robert Schwarzman during his return in FT2 to determine the best time to test the Pirelli tires.

Leclerc is currently a point behind Perez in the fight for second place in the standings, but said on Thursday that the fight doesn’t mean much to him: “Yes, it’s always better to be second than third, but my main focus is not really not dependent on it.” “.

“It’s basically about using these last four races to fight for next year’s world championship. We will try to use these last four races to be a better team for next year.”