F1 | Belgian GP | Verstappen and Perez join Leclerc in losing second engine after crash damage, all set for grid penalties later in the season
Crash damage leaves Red Bull and Ferrari facing the difficult decision of when to take their fourth power units of 2021, which in turn will result in grid penalties.
As well as losing the lead of both championships after the Hungarian Grand Prix, Red Bull's difficulties have been compounded by the fact that Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez have a lost an engine from their allocated pool in 2021. You can only use three before penalties are applied.
Despite Verstappen using his second Power Unit in Hungary until qualifying, following that monster shunt after the collision with Hamilton at Silverstone, Honda detected cracks and it was taken out before the race. The Japanese company completed an examination of it and now say it cannot be fixed.
It didn’t get any better on Sunday afternoon in Budapest as Sergio Perez got clouted into by Valtteri Bottas at turn 1 on the opening lap. The Mexican also lost his second engine thanks to substantial damage from the contact caused by the Finn.
The knock-on effect of those incidents means both Red Bull will have to take a grid penalty later in the season for using a fourth engine; Verstappen and Perez will use their third engines in Belgium. Where that will be taken is yet to be decided, but it hands Mercedes another advantage in the title battle.
Ferrari also confirmed during the summer break that Charles Leclerc’s engine was irreparable because of the damage caused by Lance Stroll clattering into him in a separate incident at turn 1 in Hungary.
In more positive news for Ferrari, Carlos Sainz can still use his second engine after Auto Motor und Sport confirmed that his turbocharger can be saved. The Spaniard was forced to change Power Units during the Hungary weekend over concerns with that turbocharger.
Nonetheless, Ferrari’s engine upgrade later in the season will force both drivers to take a penalty at some stage. The test bench shows good results for Ferrari according to the German publication.
Speaking about it, Leclerc believes it will be a significant step as they fight for P3 in the Constructors’ Championship with McLaren.
"The updated engine will come later this year, we don’t know yet when, but this should be a positive step," Leclerc said.
"It won’t be a revolution, but I think it is a significant step, so hopefully we will be able to take advantage of it once it will be in the car."
