Leclerc to start from the back in Sochi as Ferrari introduces upgraded F1 engine

It will be Leclerc's fourth engine of the season meaning he will be forced to start from last at the Sochi Autodrom on Sunday.

During the summer break, Ferrari announced it would be introducing an upgraded engine at some point during the second half of the year as Ferrari looks to claw back the power that it lost from the technical directive at the end of 2019.

“The Russian Grand Prix sees the introduction of a new technical component for Scuderia Ferrari Mission Winnow: a power unit fitted with an updated hybrid system, the introduction of which was mentioned a few weeks back,” Ferrari said in a statement.

“Its main purpose is to gain experience for the 2022 car project. A great deal of effort has gone into this, both technically and logistically, and so as to be able to use it as soon as possible, its introduction will be staggered between the drivers.

“Charles will be the first to have the new hybrid system. This decision is a precautionary measure relating to the potential risk of using the battery pack damaged in his Hungarian GP accident.”

Ferrari confirmed that Carlos Sainz will also be forced to take a fourth engine in the remaining rounds but “that will be decided following an evaluation of the right compromise between competitiveness and the impact of the penalty”.

The Scuderia slipped to fourth in the constructors’ championship following McLaren’s remarkable 1-2 finish at the Italian GP.