Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, and Max Verstappen will serve grid penalties at the Brazilian Grand Prix following engine changes. Hamilton and Leclerc each drop 10 places after Ferrari's planned internal combustion engine swap. Verstappen faces the back of the grid for a complete power unit change.
Red Bull initially resisted the change but confirmed it on Saturday after Verstappen encountered 'small issues' in practice, including sitting out the final minutes of FP2. Sergio Perez also starts from the rear after receiving new power unit components. Despite the setbacks, Hamilton remains optimistic about a wet race potentially aiding his charge through the field.
Leclerc described Friday as one of the most difficult of the year, while team principal Frederic Vasseur acknowledged the car has significant work ahead. Last year, Verstappen famously drove from the pitlane to the podium at Interlagos, and Hamilton has previously climbed from 20th to fifth in the sprint race.
Source: Autosport F1 News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing