(Motorsport news) Carlos Sainz Jr. will be starting the Turkish Grand Prix from the back of the grid due to penalties incurred for exceeding his engine allocation. Ferrari will install a new power unit with the new hybrid system in the Spaniard’s car, the same upgrade as Charles Leclerc who started at the back of the grid at the Russian Grand Prix.
The Monegasque driver received his upgrade before teammate Carlos Sainz Jr. because Ferrari had concerns that his engine store was damaged during a crash at the Hungarian Grand Prix as well as not wanting both the drivers to incur grid penalties at the same race. Sainz had an impressive Russian Grand Prix at the Sochi Autodrom, finishing in third position behind Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. It remains to be seen how many positions the Spaniard climbs through the race in Istanbul Park but Ferrari have reaffirmed that it is “a step” in performance.
In a preview by Ferrari ahead of the Turkish GP, the team said “As was the case for Charles Leclerc in Russia, in Turkey Carlos Sainz will take a completely new power unit fitted with the new hybrid system, therefore he will start from the back of the grid with the aim of climbing up the order to try and score some points.”
Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto will not be in attendance during the Turkish GP, instead he will be at the Maranello factory focusing on the development of the 2022 car. "He will of course follow all sessions and the race from the Remote Garage, with a permanent link to the team at Istanbul Park," the team said.
Ferrari have slipped further behind in the Constructors Championship and are currently in fourth with 216.5 points while McLaren are in third position at 234 points. Red Bull Racing are at 364.5 points while Mercedes lead the pack with 397.5 points. Lewis Hamilton is currently two points ahead of Max Verstappen in the Drivers Championship but may incur a penalty if Mercedes consider an engine replacement.
Also read: Lewis Hamilton may start at the back of the grid at Turkish GP as Mercedes consider engine change
