Leclerc avoids Spanish GP grid penalty after 50G Monza crash

Ferrari confirms Leclerc’s power unit escaped Monza impact

Charles Leclerc will not receive a grid penalty for this weekend’s Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix after Ferrari confirmed that his high-speed Monza crash did not damage the car’s engine.

Leclerc retired from the Italian Grand Prix on lap two after losing control through the Parabolica at more than 230km/h. The Ferrari driver had been defending from Oscar Piastri’s McLaren when his SF-26 bounced over a water drain, ran wide and struck the tyre barrier.

The impact produced deceleration exceeding 50G, but the car withstood the crash without requiring an entirely new power unit. Ferrari will replace the transmission casing instead, allowing Leclerc to head to Madrid without the immediate sporting consequence of a grid drop.

Ferrari’s Spanish GP opportunity

The Spanish Grand Prix also gives Ferrari another opportunity to assess its ADUO engine upgrade, which debuted at Monza. The team has already made clear that the package is not a “game changer”, placing the emphasis on extracting a stronger overall weekend rather than expecting a single upgrade to transform its competitive position.

That need is underscored by Ferrari’s disappointing home race. The team scored only eight points at Monza, all of them through Lewis Hamilton’s sixth-place finish. The weekend was further compromised when Ferrari’s two drivers almost collided on the opening lap.

For a closer look at the weekend ahead, readers can consult our 2026 Spanish Grand Prix preview.

Championship gap remains significant

Ferrari now trails championship leader Mercedes by 122 points. Mercedes strengthened its position at Monza with another victory for Kimi Antonelli, who became the first Italian to win his home race since Ludovico Scarfiotti in 1966.

Leclerc’s escape from a power-unit penalty removes one immediate setback, but Ferrari’s broader challenge remains clear. The Spanish Grand Prix will test whether the team can turn the lessons from a difficult Monza weekend into a more competitive showing, while the ADUO upgrade receives another opportunity to prove its value on track.