Max Verstappen receives a 5-place grid penalty for the race in Brazil
F1. The FIA has confirmed Max Verstappen's engine change. Red Bull has limited the changes only to the engine block, so the penalty is limited to just 5 grid places for Sunday's main race.
The FIA has just unveiled the list of new components installed on the single-seaters for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix at Interlagos, and as announced earlier this week, Red Bull had to replace Max Verstappen's engine block.
Limited to a quota of 4 engines per season, Red Bull has just added a 5th engine, outside the quota. This engine addition will allow Max Verstappen to try to finish the season with the other engines already used but not too worn out. Red Bull has therefore chosen the Brazilian Grand Prix to make this addition of a 5th engine block, resulting in a penalty during a sprint weekend and thus limiting the consequences.
The installation of this 5th engine block automatically results in a 5-place grid penalty for the main race. Max Verstappen will therefore start with a handicap on Sunday.
Note that Max Verstappen also received a new exhaust without penalty, as the quota has not yet been reached.
Also note the use of a 4th gearbox in Oscar Piastri's McLaren, which also falls within the quota of 5 gearboxes per season.
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