Leclerc's retirement caused by MGU-H and turbo failure

Remaining unknown after the race, the cause of the abandonment of Charles Leclerc during the Spanish Grand Prix was finally identified by Ferrari. After inspection at Maranello, a failure of the MGU-H and the turbo of car no. 16 got the better of the Monegasque's race. Leclerc was then in the lead with a comfortable lead in Barcelona, ​​before being forced to retire on the 27th lap.

In a press release, Ferrari assures that “ after having completely analyzed the failure and its cause, we are convinced that it is not due to a design defect or a reliability problem of these two components or any other element (of the power unit). »

Even more problematic: the Scuderia announced that these elements were not repairable and therefore not reusable for the next Grands Prix of the season. The Italian team will therefore have to install new components on Leclerc's car during the next event in Monaco. Charles Leclerc used his second turbo and his second MGU-H in Barcelona. It would therefore not be subject to a penalty if a third turbo or MGU-H were to be used in the Principality.

Just after the race, Ferrari clarified that no alert had been triggered to warn of the breakdown. According to the press release, external circumstances or particular conditions of use could be the cause of Leclerc's premature end of the race.

This reliability problem is the first encountered by Ferrari in racing since the start of the season. Charles Leclerc lost big in the affair: the victory but also the lead in the championship. Both returned to Max Verstappen Sunday.

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