Sainz hit with French GP grid drop following Ferrari PU element change

The FIA has confirmed that Ferrari has added a new Control Electronics to Carlos Sainz's inventory of power unit elements, a change that equates to a 10-place grid drop for the Spaniard for Sunday's French GP.

The component change is a direct consequence of Sainz's spectacular engine blow-up in the Austrian GP, a failure that occurred just as the Scuderia driver was catching Red Bull's Max Verstappen for third in the closing stages of the race.

The damage that resulted from the fire that erupted at the rear of the Ferrari as Sainz attempted to put his car out of harm's way prompted the Italian outfit to consider adding a new power unit to Sainz's pool of hardware for this weekend's race.

• Read also: Sainz still 'picking up momentum', not yet at peak

A third Control Electronics assigned to Sainz puts the latter over the limit, hence the 10-place grid drop, but a new energy store also added to the driver's inventory – his second this season – does not increase Sainz's demotion.

However, the winner of this month's British Grand Prix may still start his race on Sunday from the back of the grid if Ferrari elects to add a new ICE, turbocharger, MGU-K or MGU-K to Sainz's list later this weekend.

Sainz's penalty won't help the Spaniard's title chances as he currently sits P4 in the Drivers' standings, 75 points behind championship leader Max Verstappen.

But it's perhaps better to absorb the pain of a low grid position sooner rather than later and at a venue that allows for overtaking.

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