Max Verstappen is set to start the São Paulo Grand Prix from the back of the grid. Red Bull opted to fit a fresh power unit to his car following issues on Friday at Interlagos. This decision triggers a significant grid penalty for Sunday’s race.
The team determined that the risk of continuing with the existing power unit was too high. Red Bull had aimed to delay this scheduled engine change for as long as possible this season.
Verstappen reported ‘unacceptable’ downshifts and a steering problem during Friday practice. He described the steering as ‘totally crooked’ and physically demanding.
His long run in the second practice session was cut short due to Red Bull’s inability to gather sufficient data. Head of Race Strategy Hannah Schmitz confirmed the team was addressing these issues.
Red Bull broke the FIA curfew to work on Verstappen’s car, marking the second of four allowed instances this season. This underscores the urgency of the power unit concerns.
The 2026 Formula 1 season introduced significant power unit regulation changes. These include a 50:50 split between internal combustion and electrical power.
The MGU-H component has been removed, while the MGU-K’s electrical output has increased to 350 kW. All power units now run on 100% sustainable fuel.
Red Bull Ford Powertrains is a new engine manufacturer for 2026, supplying both Red Bull and Racing Bulls. Team Principal Laurent Mekies acknowledged the substantial challenge of this project.
Verstappen has previously voiced dissatisfaction with the 2026 engine rules, citing an excessive focus on energy management. Discussions are ongoing for potential power split adjustments in 2027 and 2028.
Interlagos has historically seen strong comeback drives from Verstappen. In 2025, he started from the pit lane and finished third. He won the 2024 race from 17th on the grid in wet conditions.
Verstappen is not the only driver facing a grid penalty in São Paulo. George Russell will incur a five-place grid drop.
This penalty for Russell is due to Mercedes fitting his sixth Internal Combustion Engine of the season. This exceeds the permitted allocation under FIA regulations.
Mercedes strategically chose Interlagos for the penalty, as the circuit is known for offering more overtaking opportunities. Russell had a power unit failure earlier in the season in Malaysia.
Lewis Hamilton is also expected to receive a grid penalty. Ferrari is planning engine component changes after a challenging Friday practice.
The exact nature and size of Hamilton’s grid penalty remain unconfirmed by an official FIA bulletin. Ferrari’s Friday performance was their weakest of the 2026 season.
The weather forecast for the São Paulo Grand Prix weekend indicates a high probability of rain. There is a 57% chance of rain during Sunday’s race.
Saturday’s qualifying session also carries a 50% chance of precipitation, particularly in the afternoon. Interlagos is a demanding circuit in wet conditions.
Kimi Antonelli secured the Drivers’ World Championship last weekend in Mexico. Verstappen currently holds second place in the drivers’ standings.
Mercedes is still competing for the Constructors’ Championship. The grid penalties for multiple front-running drivers will add an unpredictable element to the race.
