Max Verstappen will start from the back of the grid
Like Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen will start from the back for the Russian Grand Prix. A decision that is not very surprising given the three-place grid penalty.
Red Bull had been hesitating for several days. It is now confirmed. Max Verstappen will indeed change his engine and will start from the back of the grid on Sunday. A rather logical choice. The Dutchman had received a three-place grid penalty for the Russian Grand Prix, considered responsible for the collision with Lewis Hamilton in Monza. Red Bull is therefore taking the opportunity to change several components of his car.
This change of its power unit will take place after the second free practice session. So, his single-seater will have a new engine, a turbocharger, an MGU-H, an MGU-K, an energy storage, and an exhaust. Red Bull had already changed the engine for Sergio Perez earlier in the season, while Mercedes had equipped Bottas with a new power unit at Monza. Hamilton is then the only driver from the two leading teams who still needs to switch to a new engine. Verstappen will not be the only one starting from the back of the grid. He will be accompanied by Charles Leclerc, who also changed his engine before the first free practice session.
A decision which Mercedes could benefit from in the championship duel. Hamilton is trailing his rival by five points in the standings, while the German team has an 18-point lead over Red Bull. Mercedes has never lost a race in Sochi since 2014.
