F1 News, Reports and Race Results

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.

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.

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

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Colapinto camp stepped in after Ocon clash to prevent death threats

Franco Colapinto’s management opted for an extraordinary defensive maneuver after the Alpine driver’s clash with…

11 hours ago

F1 The Movie wins Oscar for Best Sound

F1 The Movie took a victory lap on Sunday evening at the 98th Academy Awards,…

11 hours ago

Formula 1's first and last unofficial starter

German driver Hans Heyer was born on this day in 1943, and while his main…

13 hours ago

Stella confirms engine-related failures, but won’t blame Mercedes

McLaren endured a bitterly frustrating weekend at the Chinese Grand Prix as both of its…

14 hours ago

Kirkwood beats Palou to claim Arlington IndyCar glory

Kyle Kirkwood delivered a masterpiece on Sunday in the shadows of AT&T Stadium, proving that…

15 hours ago

‘A horror show’: Wolff links Verstappen’s attacks to Red Bull’s woes

While Max Verstappen continues to wage a verbal war against Formula 1’s 2026 regulations, Mercedes…

16 hours ago