Why Ferrari may choose Baku for Charles Leclerc’s new engine penalty

Ferrari is reportedly considering the Baku race to introduce a new power unit for Charles Leclerc, which would trigger a grid penalty. Leclerc's engine rotation plan was disrupted following an accident at the Monza Grand Prix. While his Monza power unit did not suffer irreversible damage, Ferrari is taking a cautious approach to avoid a potential engine failure.

Baku is considered a strong candidate for the penalty because the street circuit's characteristics allow drivers to recover positions during the race. Leclerc's teammate, Lewis Hamilton, finished the Monza race without issues and was able to benefit from a more recent engine specification, leaving Leclerc with tighter component margins.