Max Verstappen to start Brazilian Grand Prix from back of grid after Red Bull engine penalty
Four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen will start Sunday’s Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos from the back of the grid after Red Bull confirmed an engine penalty. Team principal Laurent Mekies told Sky Sports F1 ahead of the third practice session that the Dutchman would take the penalty and begin from last, a position he has already used at this circuit in each of the past two seasons. Mekies said Verstappen had produced “a few miracles” from the rear here before and expected more of the same this year.
After Friday’s second practice, Red Bull head of strategy Hannah Schmitz said the Milton Keynes team was looking into several changes to Verstappen’s car after he was unhappy with aspects of its behaviour, while stressing that the issues were understood and could be worked on. Mekies described Friday as typical hard work and said the RB’s pace over the first two sessions had been “decent,” despite heavy radio traffic as the squad chased lap time.
Verstappen won last weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix and moved up to second in the drivers’ championship. Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli sealed the title in Mexico City, leaving the battle for second open: only 16 points separate Verstappen in second from Charles Leclerc in fifth. Lewis Hamilton and George Russell sit third and fourth and will also take penalties in Brazil; Russell faces a five-place grid drop, while the size of Hamilton’s penalty has not yet been confirmed.
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