Hamilton, Leclerc and Verstappen to Start From Lower Grid Positions at São Paulo Grand Prix
All three championship contenders have received grid‑drop penalties for engine changes ahead of the Brazilian GP, reshuffling the Interlagos starting order.
Three of the sport’s biggest names – Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen – will begin the São Paulo Grand Prix from reduced grid positions after receiving penalties for recent power‑unit changes. The penalties were confirmed by the FIA and reported by Motorsport.com, Sky Sports and the BBC.
Why the penalties were imposed
Each driver exceeded the allocated number of internal combustion engine components for the season. Under the current regulations, any additional component triggers a grid‑drop penalty. Hamilton, driving for Mercedes, will be demoted three places, while Leclerc’s Ferrari will also lose three spots. Verstappen’s Red Bull, which already carries a heavy component load, will serve a five‑place penalty, reflecting the stricter penalty schedule for larger infractions.
Impact on the Interlagos grid
The penalties shuffle the starting order considerably. Verstappen, who qualified on pole, will now line up fifth, while Hamilton, originally third on the grid, will start sixth. Leclerc, who qualified fourth, drops to seventh. This opens up the front row for other contenders – notably Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Mercedes’ George Russell – who will start alongside Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Pérez.
Strategically, the penalties could force the top three to adopt more aggressive opening laps to recover lost positions, especially on a circuit where overtaking is possible but not guaranteed. Teams will also need to manage tyre strategies carefully, as the early race pace may be more intense with several drivers fighting for track position.
For Indian fans
The Brazilian round will be broadcast live on FanCode, with the race start scheduled for 2:30 am IST on 20 November. The early‑morning slot means Indian viewers will need to stay up late, but the dramatic grid reshuffle promises extra excitement. Fans can also follow live timing on the official F1 app, which provides real‑time updates on position changes and pit‑stop strategies.
With the championship still wide open, the penalties add another layer of intrigue to a race that could prove decisive for the title fight.
Source: Motorsport.com