Official: Grid penalty for Verstappen due to engine change in Brazil

Max Verstappen has been given a new internal combustion engine for the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend. Helmut Marko revealed this earlier, but the FIA has now officially confirmed the news. As a result, Verstappen will receive a five-place grid penalty.

For several weeks, there had been doubts about whether Verstappen would need a new engine. The Dutchman had add new parts early on due to problems with his Honda power unit. As a result, Verstappen could not afford any more problems and was likely to incur another grid penalty.

Red Bull Racing opted to replace only the combustion engine on Verstappen, giving him only a grid penalty of five places for the Brazilian Grand Prix. Verstappen's exhaust was also replaced, but Red Bull will not be penalised for this.

This article has been created in collaboration with Matt Gretton