Lindblad handed back-of-grid penalty for Malaysian GP after Racing Bulls exceed power unit allocation

Arvid Lindblad will start the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang from the back of the grid after Racing Bulls exceeded Formula 1’s penalty-free power unit allocation, triggering automatic grid penalties for the British teenager.

The Racing Bulls driver has taken a fifth internal combustion engine, turbocharger, and exhaust for this weekend’s race — one beyond the maximum of four sets permitted before penalties apply. Lindblad had already reached that limit at the previous round in Azerbaijan, meaning the decision to absorb the penalty in Malaysia indicates his earlier components are no longer serviceable and that the Red Bull-owned team views Sepang as the most favourable circuit at which to take the hit.

In Baku, Lindblad also introduced a new set of power unit ancillary components — covering parts of the fuel system, wastegate, oil tank, and cooling system — though that change remained within the permitted allocation of six sets and carried no penalty.

The grid drop comes off the back of a points-scoring weekend in Azerbaijan, where Lindblad recovered from a first-lap incident to finish seventh. On the restart, attempting to avoid Esteban Ocon, Lindblad drifted right at Turn 1 and locked a wheel, making contact with team-mate Liam Lawson and spinning the New Zealander out. Stewards took no further action against Lindblad for the collision.

From there, the 19-year-old fought back through the field, passing both Haas drivers in the closing stages and edging Ocon at the finish line by just 0.03 seconds to secure seventh place.

“We discussed it internally, what happened, and I know what I’d do differently in future,” Lindblad said of the Lawson incident. “I’ve apologised already and yeah, it’s done now. I know what I’ll do differently in future. We’ve discussed it, so just looking forward to Malaysia now.”