Charles Leclerc back of the grid for the Canadian Grand Prix

Ian Parkes
Saturday 18 June 2022 20:16 - Updated: 21:54

Charles Leclerc will start at the back of the grid for Sunday's Canadian Grand Prix, further damaging his F1 title hopes.

Two PU failures in the last three races for the Monégasque have now proven to be especially costly, initially in terms of lost points as he was leading the Spanish and Azerbaijan Grands Prix at the time, but also now in terms of grid penalties.

Leclerc had been set to drop 10 places at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve after a new control electronics unit was fitted to the F1-75 after practice on Friday, the third of the season when only two are allowed under the regulations.

Now the FIA has also confirmed a new engine, turbocharger, MGU-H and MGU-K. Leclerc will use a fourth of each element when three are permitted per season.

Leclerc has seen an 80-point swing over the last five races since winning two of the first three events and opening up a 46-point lead over Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who had two retirements of his own.

Since then the rails have come off Leclerc's championship charge as the two PU failures sandwiched strategic errors from Ferrari in Monaco which resulted in him finishing fourth after starting on pole position.

The additional concern for Leclerc and Ferrari is that he will take additional penalties over the course of the season given there will still be 13 races remaining following this weekend's event.

Team-mate Carlos Sainz has also taken a third engine, the last permitted before he will also be hit with a penalty should another be required before the campaign ends.