Max Verstappen will start the Sao Paulo Grand Prix from the pit lane after Red Bull opted to adopt a new power unit and make changes to his car.
Red Bull struggled in qualifying on Saturday, with both Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda dropping out on pace in Q1. This was the first time since the 2006 Japanese Grand Prix that both cars failed to progress. That followed a floor change for Verstappen, who had run the latest specification in the morning sprint and then returned to the previous specification for qualifying.
The team originally planned to try to reach the end of the season without taking a new power unit, but given the original starting position of 16th place and the need to break the parc ferme conditions to make suspension changes, it opted to take a new one before Sunday’s race.
The setup changes alone would require a pit lane start, so the new power unit is effectively a free change for Red Bull as it looks to give Verstappen the best chance of staying in contention in the Drivers’ Championship with three rounds to go after Interlagos. Heading into Sunday’s race, he is currently 39 points behind championship leader Lando Norris, who starts on pole position.
Verstappen has a brand new power unit in his car, while Esteban Ocon has also taken a new internal combustion engine (ICE) after qualifying 17th, meaning he will also start from the pit lane.
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