Ferrari summoned to stewards over fuel breach as DSQ looms

The Formula 1 race stewards have confirmed they are investigating a fuel breach by Ferrari on Charles Leclerc's car in the lead-up to Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, summoning the team for a hearing after the race.

FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer issued a bulletin with less than one hour until lights out confirming an irregularity had been found on Leclerc's car after completing a fuel check.

Bauer's report stated: "The fuel declaration of car number 16 was checked before the car left the pit lane. There was a significant difference between the declaration of the team and the amount of fuel inside the car.

"As this is not in compliance with TD/12-19, I am referring the matter to the stewards for their consideration."

The stewards issued a statement during the race confirming they would be investigating the matter, with Ferrari due to appear for a hearing at 19:45 local time after the race.

The FIA introduced a new rule for 2019 where teams were required to declare how much fuel they would be starting their cars with in the hours leading up to lights out, with random checks taking place before the race to verify these figures.

"I think the interesting thing about it is the word significant they've put in there, there's a significant difference," Red Bull F1 team boss Christian Horner said.

"The technical regulations are black and white. Usually with a case like that, it's either legal or it isn't."

Asked if he expected Leclerc to be disqualified, Horner said: "I can't see how he won't be."