Carlos Sainz, Kevin Magnussen to start from back of the grid after Ferrari PU changes

French Grand Prix

Sainz, Magnussen to start from back of the grid after Ferrari PU changes

Ferrari has unsurprisingly opted to change the full PU

Ewan Gale

Saturday 23 July 2022 13:20

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Carlos Sainz will start the French Grand Prix from the back of the grid after Ferrari opted to introduce a full new power unit to the pool.

The Spaniard - who finished Friday practice fastest - had already taken a 10-place grid penalty for a third control electronics component after his fiery end to the Austrian Grand Prix last time out.

But with little logic in taking further penalties in upcoming races, the Scuderia has predictably introduced a new component for each part of the PU, sending the British Grand Prix winner to the back of the grid.

Sainz has taken on a new ICE, TC, MGU-H and MGU-K.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1 ahead of FP3, team principal Mattia Binotto all but confirmed the additional penalties and said: "I think yes, by the time we change components... we have changed many of them to make sure he has fresh components on the car and we are very likely to be at the back of the grid."

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On Sainz's prospects for the race, Binotto added: "It is always difficult to overtake but he has got the pace, it can be a good race for him and he is focusing on trying to have a good weekend and try to minimise the disadvantage of the penalties."

It is the second time in four races a Ferrari will line up from the back of the grid after Charles Leclerc was hit with penalties at the Canadian Grand Prix as the Maranello-based team fights reliability problems.

Another Ferrari-powered car has taken a new PU, with Haas' Kevin Magnussen taking a new ICE, TC, MGU-H and MGU-K to also drop to the back.

The Dane had struggled with an engine issue in Austria and although clinching points at the Red Bull Ring, Haas has swapped the PU as a result of the problem.