Max Verstappen will not be starting from the first or second row in the upcoming São Paulo Grand Prix this Sunday. The three-time world champion will receive a grid penalty due to an engine change. This involves a new combustion engine, which will cost him five places on the starting grid.
Verstappen was forced to change his combustion engine earlier this season in Belgium as well. At that time, he received a ten-place grid penalty, the standard sanction for a first violation of the set maximum. A second ‘offense’ only results in a five-place penalty. The penalty applies to the GP on Sunday, not for the sprint race the day before.
Considering the remaining races this season, Brazil is the best place for Red Bull to incur a grid penalty, due to the characteristics of the circuit. In São Paulo, there are plenty of opportunities to overtake. Verstappen is defending a 47-point lead in the world championship over McLaren driver Lando Norris. There are still four races plus two sprint races left.
