Charles Leclerc, along with title rival Max Verstappen, is inching closer to a grid penalty after the Ferrari driver fitted new parts for the Hungarian Grand Prix.
The FIA confirmed that Leclerc took a new gearbox as well as fitted a new exhaust system.
The gearbox is the last of his allowed four, while the exhaust is his last from the eight allocated.
This means that the Monegasque Is at risk of taking a grid penalty. Verstappen also faces a penalty for any gearbox-related changes after he took his fourth and final component of the season.
The teams will be planning ahead to decide on which circuits should a grid penalty be taken. Circuits where overtaking is easier are preferred. Places like Belgium, Italy, and Brazil allow drivers overtaking opportunities to cut through the pack.
Last year, Lewis Hamilton took a new ICE at the Brazilian Grand Prix and a subsequent 5-place penalty. On Sunday, he powered through the field to win the race comfortably.
New parts for other drivers
Apart from Leclerc, Mercedes driver George Russell took a new MGU-K unit, his last of the three allowed.
Lance Stroll and Nicholas Latifi both have taken new parts. They’re running a new gearbox case and cassette, in addition to a new gearbox driveline, gear change components, and auxiliary components.
Lando Norris, Zhou Guanyu, Mick Schumacher, Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon, and Sergio Perez are all at the risk of engine penalties.
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