Verstappen changes his F1 engine: Will he get a grid penalty?

After a Friday full of engine problems, Red Bull Racing has decided to replace Max Verstappen's engine ahead of the third free practice session. The Austrian team opted for an engine that Verstappen already had in his pool, so there will be no grid penalty.

Verstappen already noticed a strange sound coming from his Honda engine in FP1. At first it seemed that the problem would be solved after the first practice session. However, the problem with the power unit remained persistent in the second free practice. As a result, Verstappen only managed a handful of laps in FP2 in Mexico. Incidentally, that session was all about a Pirelli tyre test, so the setup could not be worked on.

Red Bull has replaced Verstappen's power unit. The 'new' engine is old, so there will be no grid penalty. However, it is questionable whether Verstappen can do the last five race weekends of the season with the current power units in his pool. Rumours have been circulating for some time that the Dutchman will have to take a new Honda engine again. Christian Horner did not want to say on Friday whether this will be the case.

If a new engine has to be introduced to the pool, it would make sense to do that in Brazil next week. That would give Verstappen a grid penalty of five places. Overtaking is relatively easy on the Interlagos circuit.