Did Ferrari pull an early joker by fitting two new engines to Charles Leclerc's F1 car?

The Ferrari Formula 1 team could not be in a more pressing predicament than is currently the case. Sure, things could look much worse later this year, but the immediate future is not looking too rosy. And it's all revolving around the power unit's reliability.

At both the Spanish and Azerbaijan Grands Prix, Charles Leclerc retired from the race after technical gremlins reared their heads. And both issues were related to the power unit. The result? The driver faces grid penalties should he exceed the maximum number of power unit parts in the season.

For the engine, only three are allowed for the season, and the driver will be using his third unit for the year. However, the team rolled the dice and opted to fit a fourth unit, and other parts, into his car, meaning that he is taking a severe grid penalty.

While this looks bad on paper, the team has turned their immediate future around, and could this be the saving grace their title hopes need.

BREAKING: Charles Leclerc to receive a grid penalty following a new power unit element#CanadianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/pbXkx6xdOZ

The 'joker' explained

By using more power unit elements at the Canadian Grand Prix, Leclerc, in the process, takes a grid penalty. As a result, he is hit with a 10-place grid penalty. However, because of the magnitude of parts used, he incurred more grid penalties, relegating him to the back of the grid for today's race.

While this does not look too great, the driver can make up several places in the race, provided he keeps his nose clean. As we've seen in 2022 thus far, the Ferrari engine is one of the strongest - if not the strongest - and could it propel Leclerc onto the podium. If not, at least get him close to the podium.

READ: LIVE | 2022 Canadian Grand Prix

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