Adjustments to Red Bull engine, no grid penalty as a result

The FIA reports that Red Bull Racing has modified the oil intake pipe of both cars ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix. Red Bull reportedly did so because of reliability concerns.

In the official document from the FIA shows that on both Max Verstappen 's and Sergio Perez 's car, the combustion engine oil intake pipe was replaced. The replacement took place after the end of qualifying. As it was all done within the rules, Red Bull will not receive a grid penalty for this. Verstappen and Perez will therefore just start from the front row of the grid.

The change is reportedly mainly to increase the reliability of the engine. Because of an engine freeze, it is not allowed to make changes to the engine unless it is to improve reliability.

Also changes at Leclerc

Verstappen and Perez are not the only ones who have changed something about the engine since qualifying: Charles Leclerc has also received a modification. The Ferrari driver has been given a new energy store prior to the race, according to a separate FIA document read. As with the Red Bull drivers, this also went according to the rules, and Leclerc will not receive a grid penalty either. However, each driver will only get two energy stores for the whole season.