F1 | Ferrari, Leclerc with a new engine in Sochi: he will start last

Charles Leclerc will start last in the Russian Grand Prix. The Monegasque driver, as made official by Ferrari, will mount a new power unit in Sochi with a new hybrid system. This choice by the Scuderia was in the air, there was talk of this weekend for the introduction of the engine on the #16 car, then there was talk of Istanbul or even Austin, but evidently the problems Leclerc had in recent weekends convinced the Ferrari made this choice already for Sochi.

A new hybrid system is coming. The Russian Grand Prix will also see the introduction of a technical novelty for Scuderia Ferrari: a power unit equipped with the updated hybrid system, the introduction of which had been announced in recent weeks and is aimed above all at gaining experience according to the project 2022. A great effort has been made, both from a technical and logistical point of view, to shorten the times as much as possible and the update will be carried out with staggered timing between the two pilots. The first to use the new hybrid system will be Charles, a choice dictated by precautionary reasons in light of the risks associated with the use of the battery pack which was damaged in the accident at the Hungarian GP: in Sochi the Monegasque will have a completely new power unit and will set off then from the bottom of the grill. The introduction of the new hybrid system on Carlos' car will be decided by evaluating the right compromise between competitiveness and the impact of the penalty.

Two DRS zones. From the starting line to turn 1 there are just over a hundred meters but it is only a slight bend to the right to be tackled fully until you reach the first real braking section, in turn 2, just under 700 meters away from the finish line . Here you decelerate from 330 to around 130 km/h in less than two seconds and catching the slipstream of a car in front at the start can make the difference. This is the first of the two sections in which it is possible to activate the DRS. Turn 3 goes around the Medals Plaza – the place where the athletes of the 2014 Winter Olympics were awarded – and is a 180° left that you take straight down. In the second sector, getting out of turn 10 well is essential, because the cars enter another very fast semi-curved section, where it is possible to activate the mobile wing again, up to turn 13, one of the most demanding braking sections of the track.

Program. The free practice day on Friday will see the cars take to the track at 11.30am and 15pm local time (10.30am and 14pm CET), while the last hour in preparation for qualifying will take place on Saturday at 12pm (11am CET). Qualifying and Sunday's race will start at the same time: 15pm local time (14pm CET). Variable weather is expected, with rain likely to be the protagonist.