The Sao Paulo Grand Prix grid penalties have reshuffled the starting order, with Max Verstappen set to begin from the back and both Ferrari drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, handed 10-place drops. The penalties, confirmed ahead of Sunday’s race, stem from exceeding engine component limits.
Verstappen’s Red Bull will take an all-new engine after the team identified problems following Friday practice. The Dutchman will therefore start from the rear of the field. Hamilton and Leclerc, meanwhile, have both fitted new internal combustion engines, triggering their 10-place penalties.
George Russell of Mercedes also faces a grid drop, but his is only five places. The difference in severity arises because Hamilton and Leclerc have exceeded the four-engine limit for the first time this season, whereas Russell had already gone beyond that threshold earlier in the year.
Contrasting fortunes and a familiar comeback
The penalties evoke memories of last year’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix, when Verstappen charged from 17th on the grid to win in wet conditions after an engine penalty. That performance stands as a reminder of how quickly a back-of-grid start can be overcome at Interlagos, though the task remains formidable.
For Ferrari, the double penalty compounds the challenge of managing both drivers’ races from midfield. Hamilton and Leclerc will need to navigate traffic and strategy carefully if they are to salvage strong points. Russell, with a smaller drop, retains a better starting position than the Ferrari pair and Verstappen.
Rain is forecast overnight from Saturday into Sunday in Sao Paulo, and forecasts suggest it could rain at any point on race day. Wet weather could further complicate the order and amplify the importance of strategy and tyre management, especially for those starting out of position.
Interlagos commits to F1 until 2035
Amid the on-track penalties, Formula 1 announced on Saturday that Sao Paulo’s Interlagos circuit has extended its contract to host a grand prix until 2035. The five-year extension ensures the Brazilian round remains on the calendar for the long term.
Stefano Domenicali, F1 president and chief executive officer, said Brazil is an important part of F1’s history and future, and that he is delighted the extension will see racing continue in Sao Paulo until 2035. He also highlighted the passion of Brazilian fans and the energy they bring to the grandstands and the city each time F1 returns to Interlagos.
Domenicali added that the event’s continued success and excitement demonstrate why it holds a special place on the calendar, and that the agreement underlines F1’s long-term commitment to Brazil.
The grid penalties and the contract news set the stage for a Sao Paulo Grand Prix that could see significant position changes. With Verstappen at the back and two Ferraris dropping 10 places, the race promises to test teams’ resilience and strategic acumen, particularly if rain arrives as forecast.
