Hamilton, Leclerc and Verstappen to Start From the Back in São Paulo After Power‑Unit Penalties

Three of the sport’s headline names – Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) and Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – will start the São Paulo Grand Prix from lower grid positions after their teams each introduced a new power‑unit component that exceeds the allowed allocation for the season. The penalties, announced by the FIA on Thursday, will see Hamilton drop ten places, Leclerc eight and Verstappen five, reshaping the starting grid for the season‑ending race.

Why the penalties were applied

Under the current power‑unit regulations, each driver is permitted a set number of internal combustion engine (ICE) elements, turbochargers, MGU‑K and MGU‑H units for the entire championship. Any component added beyond this quota triggers a grid‑penalty. Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull each opted to replace a part that had reached its performance limit, opting for fresh hardware rather than risk reliability issues in the final race.

Mercedes cited a “critical failure” in Hamilton’s ICE, prompting a replacement that carries a ten‑place drop. Ferrari’s Leclerc received a new turbocharger after data indicated a loss of power in the last few races, resulting in an eight‑place penalty. Red Bull’s Verstappen was handed a new MGU‑K, a component that converts kinetic energy into electrical power, which incurs a five‑place drop.

Impact on the championship battle

The penalties could dramatically affect the final standings. Verstappen entered Brazil with a 73‑point lead over Hamilton, but a five‑place drop still leaves him in a strong position to clinch the title, provided he finishes in the points. Hamilton, starting from 11th, will need a podium finish and a strong result from Verstappen to keep his championship hopes alive.

Leclerc, who is already out of title contention, will now focus on securing a strong finish for Ferrari’s Constructors’ Championship hopes. Starting from 9th, he will need to navigate the notoriously unpredictable Interlagos circuit, where overtaking is possible but the track’s bumpy surface can punish even the best drivers.

For Indian fans

The São Paulo Grand Prix will be broadcast live on FanCode in India, with the race kicking off at 02:00 IST on Sunday, 10 November. The early‑morning slot means fans can catch the drama from the comfort of their homes before the workday begins. Keep an eye on the pit lane screens – the grid penalties will be displayed, and the reshuffled start order could lead to an exciting opening lap, especially with the three title‑contenders starting further back.

Source: Formula1.com