F1: Charles Leclerc scored at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix with a penalty of 10 places on the grid

Leclerc retired in third place at the Formula One season-opening race in Bahrain after his Ferrari engine ran out in the final stages.

And his Ferrari team have announced ahead of Sunday’s race in Jeddah that they will have to fit a new electronic control unit – the Monegasque’s third this season – resulting in a drop of 10 places on the grid.

Leclerc could also face further grid penalties if more engine spares are needed.

“On Sunday in Bahrain we had two different problems,” said Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari team principal.

“The first was on Sunday morning when we made the fire and the second was in the running. Unfortunately it was twice the control unit, the ECU.

“We have never experienced anything like this in the past. I hope it’s under control now, but we have an in-depth analysis on it.

“Unfortunately we have to take the penalty in Jeddah because we only have a pool of two controllers for the season.”

Leclerc’s championship challenge last year was paled by a litany of mechanical and strategic errors. He finished the season 146 points behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

His failure at the opener in Bahrain already leaves him 25 points behind Verstappen, who was able to romp to an ominous victory.

Additional reporting by PA.