Carlos Sainz started his day on the back foot with news that a 20-place grid penalty awaits the Toro Rosso driver on Sunday.
The big hit comes after multiple component changes on his Renault engine which takes on a sixth MGU-H, and a fifth ICE and turbo.
The added elements will likely put the Spaniard dead last on the grid.
But if that wasn't bad enough, Sainz also heavily damaged his car in the morning's free practice session when he hit the barriers on the exit of Turn 11 after dropping a wheel on the grass.
Another driver running on the engine component limit is Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen. The Finn is on his fourth and final ICE, MGU-K, control electronics and energy store.
One more failure and Raikkonen will also endure a grid penalty.
Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
Franco Colapinto’s management opted for an extraordinary defensive maneuver after the Alpine driver’s clash with…
F1 The Movie took a victory lap on Sunday evening at the 98th Academy Awards,…
German driver Hans Heyer was born on this day in 1943, and while his main…
McLaren endured a bitterly frustrating weekend at the Chinese Grand Prix as both of its…
Kyle Kirkwood delivered a masterpiece on Sunday in the shadows of AT&T Stadium, proving that…
While Max Verstappen continues to wage a verbal war against Formula 1’s 2026 regulations, Mercedes…