'Sainz likely to start from the back of the grid in French Grand Prix'

Sainz crashed out in the closing stages of the Austrian Grand Prix with a blown engine. The Italian sports newspaper states that the current number four in the world championship was driving his third engine of the season at the Red Bull Ring. That power source would also have made an appearance in Canada and Silverstone.

It is believed that the combustion engine of the power unit has suffered irreparable damage, leaving Sainz with only his second engine of the season in his pole. That engine has already lasted four Grand Prix weekends, so it is quite possible that a new power unit will be chosen in France and thus a grid penalty. In Hungary, a week later, it will be a lot more difficult to overtake and moreover it is questionable whether the engine of Ferrari can last six full GP's.

Situation engines Leclerc

Leclerc currently has two working engines at his disposal (the numbers three and four of this year). He has completed three races with the third power unit and in France the fourth engine will probably be used again to spread the mileage. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, there is a good chance that Leclerc will go for his fifth engine of the season at Spa-Francorchamps, a circuit where engine power is very important and overtaking relatively easy. That would mean another grid penalty, but the Belgian GP is the best option for 'damage control'.

That fifth engine would also need a power update. Until the summer break the electrical part of the power sources can still be updated. After that the complete engine freeze will take effect and no performance updates will be allowed in the coming Formula 1 seasons.