Verstappen to start São Paulo GP from back after engine change

Grid penalties confirmed for Sao Paulo

Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will all serve grid penalties during the Sao Paulo Grand Prix this weekend. Red Bull’s Verstappen is set to start from the back of the 22-car grid after his team fitted a complete new power unit. The decision was made after engineers identified problems with the car during Friday’s practice sessions, necessitating the replacement of three distinct engine components.

Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will both receive ten-place demotions. They are being penalised for using a fifth internal combustion engine this season, which exceeds the permitted limit of four. Because this is the first time the Ferrari drivers have breached this specific allocation, the penalty is more severe than that applied to other drivers who have previously exceeded the limit. Consequently, neither Hamilton nor Leclerc will be able to start higher than eleventh on the grid, regardless of their qualifying performance.

Mercedes driver George Russell also faces a penalty, though his is less severe. He will drop five places for fitting a new internal combustion engine. Russell had already exceeded the engine limit earlier in the season, resulting in a smaller deduction compared to the Ferrari drivers. These penalties join those already announced for the weekend, significantly altering the starting order for the top contenders.

Background

The Sao Paulo Grand Prix is a crucial event in the current Formula 1 season, with both the Drivers' and Constructors' Championships still undecided. Verstappen, Hamilton, Russell and Leclerc are all involved in a tight battle for second place in the Drivers' standings, with the four drivers separated by just 16 points with four races remaining. The Constructors' Championship is also at stake, with Mercedes able to clinch the title if they outscore Ferrari by three points or more on Sunday.

The Interlagos circuit has a history of wet conditions, and rain is forecast for the weekend. Forecasts suggest it could rain at any point on race day, with wet conditions predicted overnight from Saturday into Sunday. This weather pattern may influence strategy, particularly for drivers starting from further back on the grid. Verstappen has previously demonstrated the ability to recover from poor starting positions at this track, having won the 2024 Sao Paulo Grand Prix from 17th on the grid in wet conditions.

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies confirmed the engine change for Verstappen, noting that the driver is familiar with starting from the rear of the grid at this venue. He expressed confidence in Verstappen's ability to perform well despite the disadvantage. Meanwhile, Ferrari made significant setup changes to Leclerc's car during the weekend, resulting in improved pace in final practice compared to earlier sessions.

Why it matters

The grid penalties create a significant advantage for Mercedes in the Constructors' Championship battle. By forcing their main rivals to start further back, Mercedes increases its chances of securing the team title. For the drivers involved, the penalties add a layer of complexity to their championship bids. Verstappen must overcome a full grid drop, while Hamilton and Leclerc face a substantial handicap that could cost them vital points in the fight for second place.

The close nature of the Drivers' Championship means that even small differences in performance can have a major impact on the final standings. With only 16 points separating the four leading contenders, every point is crucial. The expected rain may further complicate the race, potentially allowing drivers with strong wet-weather skills to gain positions. The outcome of this race could be decisive in determining the final championship positions for both drivers and constructors.

What happens next

Qualifying for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix is scheduled for Saturday at 6pm, with build-up coverage starting at 5pm. The race is set to take place on Sunday at 5pm. Teams will now focus on preparing their cars for the race, taking into account the grid penalties and the forecast weather conditions. The application of these penalties will be finalised after qualifying, with the starting grid for Sunday's race determined by the combination of qualifying results and the imposed grid drops.