F1: Leclerc receives 10-place grid penalty, denting Ferrari’s chances of winning Constructors’ title | Motor-sport News

Ferrari and McLaren have been in close battle with each other in the second half of the 2024 season to clinch the Formula One’s World Constructors’ Championship, with the battle coming down to Sunday’s last race at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi.
But just as the first free practice ended on Friday, Ferrari suffered a severe setback to their hopes of winning the Formula One Constructors’ title for the first time since 2008, as Charles Leclerc received a 10-place grid penalty. After Leclerc set the fastest lap in free practice, Ferrari revealed that they had changed the car’s battery, which automatically resulted in a grid penalty.
FIA confirmed in a technical report that Leclerc was now using his third energy store for the season, one more than allowed.
Ferrari are 21 points behind leaders McLaren, who won the Constructors Championship last in 1998. With 44 points still to be won on Sunday, and third-placed Red Bull out of the running, Ferrari face a herculean task to put both cars ahead of the McLarens before the fireworks at the chequered flag, as that is an imperative scenario for them to clinch the title.
Free Practice 1 ended with Leclerc finishing with the best time of 1.24.231, and McLaren’s Lando Norris coming in second, who was 0.221 slower. The Mercedes pair of seven times world champion Lewis Hamilton and George Russell came in third and fourth respectively showing good pace around the circuit, but Hamilton is being investigated the stewards for allegedly impeding Norris and might receive a penalty as well.