Sainz handed grid penalty after Ferrari engine change

Carlos Sainz will suffer a five-place grid demotion for Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix, regardless of where he finishes Saturday's Sprint event, due to Ferrari's decision to change the Spaniard's ICE.

According to the FIA's power unit elements update bulletin, the Scuderia has opted to add a new internal combustion engine to Sainz's pool of hardware.

In accordance with the regulations, the change carries a five-place grid penalty that will be applied to Sunday's race.

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Sainz's F1-75 has also received a new exhaust system, as have the Alfa Romeo cars of Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu. However, no penalties are associated with the changes.

Ferrari, which underperformed relative to its rivals in Mexico City last time out, is looking to hold its runner-up spot in the championship against Mercedes.

But Sainz's grid penalty, depending on where he finishes Saturday's Sprint race, could weigh on the Scuderia's ambitions at Interlagos.

So far, there have been no other power unit changes reported by the teams or the FIA.

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