Three midfield drivers face an uphill battle before Sunday’s United States Grand Prix has even reached the starting grid, with Arvid Lindblad, Gabriel Bortoleto and Franco Colapinto all hit by power unit-related penalties at the Circuit of The Americas.
The FIA confirmed the sanctions during Friday’s opening practice session, leaving the trio with an additional obstacle to overcome in a race where track position could prove crucial.
While the penalties differ in severity, all three stem from exceeding the permitted allocation of power unit components for the 2026 season.
Bortoleto faces the biggest setback
Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto has been dealt the harshest blow, with a 20-place grid penalty set to consign the Brazilian to the back of the grid on Sunday.
The penalty follows the installation of a completely new power unit, including a fourth energy store and a fourth control electronics component of the season. The resulting accumulation of infringements leaves Bortoleto with a steep recovery challenge before the lights go out in Austin.
His Friday pace in FP1 offered some encouragement: Bortoleto finished eighth, leading the midfield runners and demonstrating that the Audi had the speed to compete.
However, starting from the rear will make translating that performance into a strong race result considerably more difficult.
Lindblad and Colapinto also penalised
Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad has received a five-place grid drop after his car was fitted with a sixth internal combustion engine.
It is his second offence of the season involving the component allocation. Under the applicable penalty rules, that brings a five-place drop rather than the 10-place sanction imposed for the initial breach.
Lindblad ended FP1 ninth, immediately behind Bortoleto, and will now need to make up ground on Sunday if he is to maintain his team’s progress in the midfield battle.
Alpine’s Franco Colapinto, meanwhile, has been handed a 10-place grid penalty after moving onto a fourth control electronics component.
The Argentine finished 17th in the opening session, leaving him with work to do both in qualifying and on race day.
For Lindblad and Colapinto; Saturday’s qualifying session will be about securing the strongest possible starting position before their respective penalties are applied.
But for Bortoleto, who faces the steepest climb, the challenge will be particularly daunting on Sunday.
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