BERLIN, June 4 (dpa/EP) –
The Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) will start this Sunday’s Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix from the ‘pitlane’ after a suspension configuration change in his car in parc fermé, confirmed the International Automobile Federation (FIA). .
Leclerc experienced a catastrophic qualifying session on Saturday, failing to make it past Q1 and due to start the race in 19th place. The Monegasque complained that the car was “undrivable”, especially when taking right-hand corners.
However, according to the media, Ferarri was unable to identify the problem and decided to change the entire suspension setup. Teams can’t make big set-up changes in parc fermé conditions, so Leclerc was penalized.
American Logan Sargeant (Williams) will also start from pit lane after changing suspension settings and brake cooling; he was going to start from the back of the grid.
The defending champion, the Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull), took pole position, followed by the Spanish Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) and the British Lando Norris (McLaren).