Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, and Max Verstappen will all serve grid penalties for engine changes at Formula 1’s Brazilian Grand Prix. Following a difficult set of Friday practice sessions, teams made strategic decisions to replace power unit components ahead of the race at Interlagos.
Ferrari Penalties and Struggles
Ferrari decided to perform a planned engine change on both Hamilton and Leclerc’s SF-26, costing them a 10-place grid penalty each for the Interlagos race after the Scuderia opted to use a new internal combustion engine. Hamilton and Leclerc are facing a tough weekend at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, with Leclerc describing it as one of the most difficult Fridays of the year.
Team principal Frederic Vasseur noted that the team has substantial work ahead to improve the car’s balance. “We know that we have a lot to do on the balance,” Vasseur stated, adding that the tarmac conditions created extensive work and that the drivers were unhappy with the setup. Vasseur also mentioned that Leclerc missed the first practice session due to issues, but remained optimistic about preparing for variable weather conditions.
Red Bull Engine Changes
For Verstappen, the penalty involves a complete power unit change resulting in a start at the very back of the grid. Red Bull had initially indicated a desire to wait as long as possible before making a power unit change, stating ahead of the weekend that a change was not yet necessary at Interlagos, but that assessment changed on Friday.
Verstappen encountered several small issues that contributed to him sitting out the final six minutes of the second practice session. Although Red Bull initially attributed the stoppage purely to inconsistencies, mechanics were immediately seen working underneath the car after Verstappen climbed out of his RB22. Red Bull subsequently broke the curfew on Friday evening, and the complete engine change was officially confirmed on Saturday.
Past Comebacks and Forecast
Sergio Perez was also equipped with a new internal combustion engine, turbocharger, and MGU-K, and will likewise start from the back of the grid for Sunday’s race. Verstappen and Hamilton both bring extensive experience in fighting through the field at Sao Paulo from previous seasons.
A potential silver lining for the penalized drivers is that a wet race is still forecast, which could assist their charges through the field on Sunday.
