F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Perez and Zhou hit with grid drops after engine changes

Red Bull and Alfa Romeo have opted to introduce fresh engines in Austin for Sergio Perez and Zhou Guanyu that will set both drivers back by five spots on Sunday's US Grand Prix grid.

Both drivers were the recipient of a fifth internal combustion engine (ICE) this season.

The changes won't help Perez' chances of fending off Ferrari's Charles Leclerc in the Drivers' standings, with the pair battling for the runner-up spot behind freshly crowned F1 world champion Max Verstappen.

But it also won't strengthen Red Bull's chances of clinching the Constructors' title, although the Milton Keynes-based outfit still hold a nearly unbeatable lead of 165 points over Ferrari.

The Mexican is current one point ahead of his Ferrari rival with four races to go this season.

Zhou's allocation of fresh power will hopefully boost Alfa Romeo's chances of returning among the top-ten, a position the Swiss outfit has enjoyed only once in the last nine races.

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

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Herta clings to F1 dream despite disastrous F2 campaign

Colton Herta's Formula 1 ambitions have taken a serious beating in Formula 2, but the…

13 hours ago

Hadjar feels ‘very, very lucky’ to have Verstappen as benchmark

It’s undeniable that Isack Hadjar has one of the most intimidating reference points in Formula…

15 hours ago

Mika Hakkinen bows out in fashion from Formula 1

McLaren's Mika Hakkinen conquered his 20th and final F1 win on this day at the…

17 hours ago

F1 frenemies kick back together in paradise

Ahead of Formula 1’s highly anticipated return to Sepang, a tight-knit crew of grid rivals—including…

17 hours ago

Mercedes tackles Sepang with special livery and major upgrades

Formula 1 is swinging back into Southeast Asia this week, and Mercedes is pulling out…

18 hours ago

Binotto sees Audi F1 seat for Slater ‘sooner or later’

Audi junior Freddie Slater may have only just finished his first Formula 3 campaign, but…

19 hours ago