Red Bull confirms: Verstappen will start from the back of the grid at the Russian GP

Red Bull Racing has chosen to change its engine during the Russian Grand Prix. It means he will start from the back of the grid on Sunday afternoon.

It was already clear that Verstappen would choose the race in Russia for his engine change. The Dutchman was given a grid penalty during the Italian GP because of the incident he had with Lewis Hamilton. Race direction held him responsible for the accident and punished him with a three-place grid penalty.

The circuit in Russia seems to favour Mercedes, which made it advantageous for Verstappen to change his engine this weekend. Like Valtteri Bottas, the Dutchman will start from the back of the grid at Monza and must try to move up as far as possible to minimise his loss to his British rival.

Verstappen has taken a new power unit - he's going to start from the back of the grid this weekend #F1 #RussianGP

— Chris Medland (@ChrisMedlandF1) September 24, 2021

Leading position in world championship

Hamilton is currently five points behind his rival Verstappen but looks set to regain the lead of the world championship this weekend. The difference with number three Bottas is more than 80 points.