close global

Welcome to GPFans

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

  • NL
  • GB
  • IT
  • ES-MX
  • US
  • GB

Are you a F1 Fan? Follow GP Fans

Edition

NL GB IT ES-MX US
Brundle, Bahrain, 2022

Brundle laments Ferrari's 'jaw-dropping, eye-rolling shocker'

Brundle, Bahrain, 2022 — Photo: © LAT Images

Brundle laments Ferrari's 'jaw-dropping, eye-rolling shocker'

Ferrari's reliability problems have resulted in a grid penalty for Leclerc this weekend

Former F1 driver Martin Brundle has lamented the woeful reliability of Ferrari across the opening stages of the season.

Charles Leclerc has become the first driver to receive a grid penalty this year after the team was forced to fit a third control electronics unit into his car ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend.

Each driver is limited to just two of these elements for the season before sanctions are awarded.

Leclerc was also forced to use a second energy store in Bahrain.

On top of this, Ferrari's problems with tyre degradation saw Carlos Sainz drift to be 48 seconds off race-winner Max Verstappen by the chequered flag.

"The reliability - Leclerc taking a 10-place grid drop here, it's jaw drop and eyes roll time," Brundle told Sky Sports.

"Already? It seems incredible that they've burned through two control units.

"There are obviously some issues there to be sorted out and reliability is everything.

"Teams, you'd imagine, have got that sort of thing aced by now, so that's a shocker.

"I think the Ferrari will look better here than in Bahrain."

Ferrari has made a significant number of power unit changes for the weekend, with both drivers taking new internal combustion units.

In addition to this and his new control electronics unit, Leclerc also has a new MGU-H (motor generator unit - heat).

FP1 ended with Sainz seventh and Leclerc 11th.

READ MORE: Saudi Arabia Grand Prix 2023: Date, start time, TV channel and live stream

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

F1 Drivers' WhatsApp Group: Toilets, Memes & Safety - what do they actually talk about?

F1 Drivers' WhatsApp Group: Toilets, Memes & Safety - what do they actually talk about?

  • 45 minutes ago
How the FIA can fix F1 at crunch talks

How the FIA can fix F1 at crunch talks

  • 1 hour ago
Lewis Hamilton reveals Ferrari have F1 masterplan to beat Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton reveals Ferrari have F1 masterplan to beat Mercedes

  • 2 hours ago
Max Verstappen exit rumours swirl as disgruntled F1 star arrives at rival series

Max Verstappen exit rumours swirl as disgruntled F1 star arrives at rival series

  • 3 hours ago
F1 News Today: Worrying Lewis Hamilton admission emerges, new Mercedes threat looms

F1 News Today: Worrying Lewis Hamilton admission emerges, new Mercedes threat looms

  • Today 15:06
What do F1 drivers do during enforced spring break?

What do F1 drivers do during enforced spring break?

  • Today 14:57

Just in

20:51
F1 Drivers' WhatsApp Group: Toilets, Memes & Safety - what do they actually talk about?
19:57
How the FIA can fix F1 at crunch talks
18:54
Lewis Hamilton reveals Ferrari have F1 masterplan to beat Mercedes
17:42
Max Verstappen exit rumours swirl as disgruntled F1 star arrives at rival series
15:06
F1 News Today: Worrying Lewis Hamilton admission emerges, new Mercedes threat looms
F1 news

Recommended by the editors

F1 Drivers' WhatsApp Group: Toilets, Memes & Safety - what do they actually talk about? F1 News & Gossip

F1 Drivers' WhatsApp Group: Toilets, Memes & Safety - what do they actually talk about?

45 minutes ago
How the FIA can fix F1 at crunch talks FIA News

How the FIA can fix F1 at crunch talks

1 hour ago
Lewis Hamilton reveals Ferrari have F1 masterplan to beat Mercedes Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton reveals Ferrari have F1 masterplan to beat Mercedes

2 hours ago
Max Verstappen exit rumours swirl as disgruntled F1 star arrives at rival series Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen exit rumours swirl as disgruntled F1 star arrives at rival series

3 hours ago
Ontdek het op Google Play
x