P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Ferrari has been dealt a severe blow to its title hopes as Charles Leclerc was issued a 10-place grid penalty for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur discussed Charles Leclerc’s 10-place grid penalty for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, incurred due to an energy store replacement. Vasseur acknowledged the setback for Ferrari’s championship aspirations as they trail McLaren by 21 points entering the season finale. Despite the disappointment, Vasseur mentioned they were aware of the issue and made the decision to avoid potential mechanical failures during the race weekend. Ferrari’s focus remains on maximizing their performance despite the penalty, as Vasseur emphasized the importance of staying competitive. Vasseur highlighted the challenges but maintained optimism, stating that nothing is impossible, and Ferrari will strive to score the maximum points and assess McLaren’s performance at the end. He encouraged fans to subscribe to their YouTube channel for a chance to win an F1 car.