Confirmed: Hamilton handed fresh ICE and grid penalty in Sao Paulo!

The FIA confirmed at the start of FP1 in Sao Paulo that Mercedes has assigned a new Internal Combustion Engine to Lewis Hamilton, a change that necessarily implies a grid drop for the Briton on Sunday.

The move is Hamilton's second engine of the season, with the reigning world champion receiving his first above-the-limit ICE in Turkey where he was also forced to take a ten-place grid drop.

Hamilton should theoretically be sent back five spots on Sunday's grid from where he finishes in Saturday afternoon's Sprint Qualifying event.

Read also - Hamilton: Mercedes task 'as steep as it can be' against Red Bull

As a reminder, the grid for the latter will be set in this afternoon's qualifying session.

Ahead of this weekend's race, Max Verstappen leads Hamilton by 19 points in the Drivers' championship.

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.