Drivers threatened by engine penalty in run-up to next Grand Prix

The Formula 1 season has already reached the summer break. As half of the races have been completed, penalties for engine changes are looming for some drivers. Six of them have already been penalized for exceeding the limits set by the FIA. With frequent modifications for all teams, the majority of drivers have reached the limit on at least one component of their car. Some of them will probably have to take a penalty by the time the summer break is over.

A regulation to be followed given by the FIA

The FIA, International Automobile Federation, is responsible for enforcing the rules in Formula 1. Although it is particularly focused on track rules, it also has to monitor the technical regulations of the teams. Every year, Formula 1 teams exceed the maximum allowed limits for changes to components on the car. Since the beginning of the season, 6 drivers have already received sanctions.

With very strict limitations, almost all drivers have already reached the maximum number of allowed changes on at least one component of their single-seater. Unfortunately, there is little chance that teams will stop here. Certainly, cars are becoming more and more performant every year, but technology often falls short towards the end of the season. At the moment, only Aston Martin and Mercedes have not yet reached the maximum number even on one part.

As a reminder, the restrictions concern engine units and gearbox components. In total, four changes are allowed for the internal combustion engine (ICE), the turbocharger (TC), the MGU-H, and the MGU-K. Two changes are allowed for the battery and electronic control units. The limit is set at eight changes for the exhaust system, actually consisting of four elements. For gearbox units, changes are limited to four for gear casings and gearbox gear cassettes, as well as for transmission components, gear shift components, and auxiliary components.

Pilots already at the limit

Given the ten remaining races of the season, drivers seem to already be facing difficulties. The vast majority of the grid should expect to receive a penalty. A new change to any of the mentioned components will result in a penalty unless it is an old component already used earlier in the season. With the « pool system, teams can reintroduce a component they had changed without a grid penalty. Outside of this scenario, each change costs a grid penalty of 10 places, plus an additional 5 places for each extra component changed.

Statistically, Max Verstappen is the most threatened by new sanctions. Already announced by Christian Horner, team principal of Red Bull Racing, the Dutch driver has reached the limit for all components of his power unit. Therefore, he is no longer allowed any changes, which will inevitably happen according to Christian Horner himself. His teammate Sergio Pérez is also in danger as he is in the same situation. Fortunately, he had already replaced his battery, technical control units, and internal combustion engine as a penalty, but the last three engine elements are still pending.

Three drivers on the grid find themselves in the same situation as the two Red Bull drivers. Daniel Ricciardo for Racing Bulls, Esteban Ocon with his Alpine, and Alexander Albon in the Williams have reached the maximum allowed for their engine components. Their teammates, Yuki Tsunoda, Pierre Gasly, and Logan Sargeant, are also in a difficult position. The French and Japanese drivers had already received new elements during the last mid-season Grand Prix. They both had received over fifty grid penalties as a result. The American driver, on the other hand, can relax a bit more as he has only reached the limit on his battery and electronic controls.

For the rest of the grid, the stakes are the same as those for Logan Sargeant. With already two replacements made for the battery and electronics, Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz, Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, Guanyu Zhou, Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hülkenberg are on the hot seat. Only Charles Leclerc has reached the limit for his MGU-H and is more in danger than his other teammates. Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas has already received a penalty for changing these two elements.

In the end, therefore, three quarters of the drivers involved risk a penalty after their return from the summer break. To avoid sanctions, the drivers will have to pay more attention to their car. As for the team, it must think about the best Grand Prix to incur such a risk. With circuits more open to overtaking, the delay accumulated by the penalty is more likely to be made up in certain races. This makes component changes a strategic choice.