Max Verstappen may face a grid penalty at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix as Red Bull consider an engine change. Verstappen had to switch to an older engine after a power unit issue disrupted his Friday sessions, though he managed to secure a spot on the front row alongside title rival Lando Norris.
However, Red Bull’s pace faltered during the race, with Verstappen losing ground to Carlos Sainz at the Safety Car restart. He then incurred two penalties from incidents with Norris, totaling 20 seconds, ultimately finishing sixth and seeing his championship lead narrow by 10 points. Red Bull may opt for a new engine for the season’s final four races, and Brazil’s number of overtaking opportunities make it a strong candidate if they decide to proceed with the switch.
“The engine we had in there was no longer intended for the race, and the older an engine gets, the more its performance diminishes. The penalty would be five places. That wouldn’t be so severe in Brazil, for example, where you can overtake relatively easily. But we saw that we were missing three to eight kilometers per hour on the straights.” Helmut Marko said.
“We were nowhere near the two front teams, and I guess part of the problem is that Friday, we couldn’t drive because of the engine problems. We have to do something, that’s clear. We also will have a change the engine because we had been so slow on the straight. This engine, which was in the car, was not supposed to be in the car, so most likely Brazil could happen.” he added.
Marko’s remarks suggest that Red Bull is carefully assessing the potential impact, knowing that an underperforming engine could jeopardize Verstappen’s title defense. Red Bull’s decision could be pivotal in the championship race, as Norris, just 47 points behind Verstappen, remains in close contention. Opting for a new engine could intensify the pressure on Verstappen’s lead, providing Norris with a crucial chance to narrow the gap.
The Sao Paulo Grand Prix features a Sprint weekend format, with a shorter race scheduled for Saturday; however, any penalty Verstappen incurs would be applied to Sunday’s main event.
With the F1 season nearing its high-stakes conclusion, the Verstappen-Norris rivalry has set the stage for a dramatic finish. Verstappen’s lead is now under serious threat, while Norris’s momentum builds, making every race a fierce contest where each lap and maneuver could tip the balance in the title fight. It remains to be seen how much effect Verstappen’s penalty will have on his race in Brazil and if the Britt can further cut down the lead at the top of the F1 standings.
Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
