Hamilton & Verstappen to start from back in Brazil
Quick Look
Max Verstappen will start from the back of the grid at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix after taking a new engine, while Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc each take 10-place penalties and George Russell takes a five-place drop for exceeding engine-part limits.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Formula 1 drivers are limited to four internal combustion engines per season. Exceeding this limit triggers grid penalties. Verstappen won the 2024 Sao Paulo Grand Prix from 17th on the grid after an engine penalty in a wet race.
Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will all have grid penalties at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Verstappen will start from the back of the grid while Hamilton and Leclerc will both have 10-place penalties.
They join Mercedes driver George Russell in having penalties for using too many engine parts. Russell's drop is only five places.
Verstappen will have an all-new engine fitted after Red Bull discovered problems after Friday practice.
Leclerc, Hamilton and Russell have all fitted new internal combustion engines.
The penalties for the Ferrari drivers are bigger than Russell's because it is the first time they have exceeded the limit of four engines per season, while Russell had already gone beyond that.
Verstappen famously won the 2024 Sao Paulo Grand Prix from 17th on the grid after an engine penalty in a wet race.
Open Questions
- Which specific engine parts exceeded the limit for each driver
- Whether the penalties will affect the championship standings
- The exact starting grid positions after penalties are applied
