With a grid penalty for excessive engine usage, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc has suffered the latest in a series of setbacks to his title chances.
At the Canadian Grand Prix, Ferrari installed a third electronics control unit, resulting in an automatic 10-place grid penalty for Sunday’s race.
Each driver is limited to two electronics units every season.
Following a string of misfortunes, Leclerc has lost an 80-point lead to championship contender Max Verstappen.
In Montreal, he is certain to lose even more distance to the Red Bull driver.
After two triumphs and a second place in the first three races, Leclerc led Verstappen by 46 points, with the Dutchman retiring from two of them.
However, in the previous three races, Leclerc has had two engine problems, both while leading.
He also lost the Monaco Grand Prix when a Ferrari strategy error dropped him from first to fourth, and a spin in the final stages of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix dropped him from third to sixth.
As a result, he will start the Canadian Grand Prix 34 points behind Verstappen, who set the quickest time in Friday practice following a strong day in the Red Bull.