F1 News, Reports and Race Results

FIA confirms Verstappen engine penalty for Sao Paulo GP

Max Verstappen will start Sunday’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix on a relative back foot following an engine change that will demote the Red Bull driver five positions on the event’s grid.

Red Bull has added a new internal combustion engine (ICE) – his sixth – to the Dutchman’s pool of hardware. As a reminder, drivers are only allowed three ICEs across the entire 24-race season.

The championship leader had already been hit with a five-place grid drop at the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa for taking on a new ICE, with the Dutchman starting that race from P11 and concluding the day P4.

The change at Interlagos, which was predicted by Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko, comes after Verstappen suffered a persistent engine issue on the opening day of practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix last weekend.

Read also:

Verstappen’s car has also received a new exhaust system, his eighth out of eight such components that are permitted during the year.

On the other side of the Red Bull garage, Sergio Perez has reverted to a previously used RB20 chassis on the Mexican driver’s request.

“We've changed him back into a different chassis, which we can do,” commented Red Bull chief engineer Paul Monaghan.

“He asked if we can, and we said fine. The boys have got a bit of work, but they didn't mind.”

©RedBull

Furthermore, Perez will once again rely on an older floor specification compared to Max Verstappen. However, the Mexican is optimistic that he will be equipped with the latest floor spec for the Las Vegas Grand Prix later this month.

“We don’t have it at the moment. Hopefully for Vegas, as there will be a little bit more time,” said Perez. [It means] we are carrying a little bit of weight, and it is not ideal, but the team is doing the best they can.”

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

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Colapinto still facing uncertain F1 future, but Hamilton a fan

Franco Colapinto has made a stunning impression since stepping into the Williams Formula 1 seat…

5 mins ago

A stunning F1 talent tragically nipped in the bud

The Mexican Grand Prix weekend is in the rearview mirror, but today we cast our…

58 mins ago

São Paulo GP: Norris, Russell and Bearman go quickest in FP1

It was an all-British top three on the timesheets at the end of first practice…

2 hours ago

2024 São Paulo Grand Prix - Free Practice 1 Results

Full results from Free Practice 1 for the São Paulo Grand Prix at São Paulo,…

2 hours ago

Magnussen pulls out of Friday running in Brazil – Bearman steps in

Kevin Magnussen will not take part in Friday’s running at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix…

3 hours ago

Under fire Perez dismisses doubts: ‘You will see me next year’

Sergio Perez is an embattled Red Bull driver according to team boss Christian Horner, yet…

4 hours ago