Verstappen to start Brazilian GP from back of grid as Red Bull confirms engine penalty

Max Verstappen will start the Brazilian Grand Prix from the back of the grid after Red Bull confirmed an engine penalty for the four-time world champion ahead of the race at Interlagos.

Team principal Laurent Mekies broke the news ahead of the third practice session, noting that Verstappen is no stranger to the situation. “We will have to take an engine penalty with Max. He will start from the back — a position he knows very well here after the last two years,” Mekies said. “He’s done a few miracles in the past starting from the back here and we’re sure he will do a few more this year.”

The confirmation came after Red Bull’s head of strategy Hannah Schmitz had hinted at significant changes following the second practice session, saying the team was “looking into several changes for Max’s car. There were things he was unhappy with, but we know what they are so can work on them.”

Despite the grid penalty, Mekies offered some encouragement on the car’s underlying performance. “It’s always hard work on Friday. It wasn’t bad at all,” he said. “The pace of the car was decent.” He added that Red Bull’s relentless pursuit of lap-time gains throughout the season had driven much of their progress, and that the team hoped to have the car in a stronger position going into the weekend.

Verstappen arrives in Brazil sitting second in the drivers’ championship, having won the Mexican Grand Prix last weekend. Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli clinched the title in Mexico City, but the battle for the runner-up spot remains tight — only 16 points separate Verstappen in second from Charles Leclerc in fifth.

Verstappen will not be alone in starting from a compromised grid position. George Russell is set to receive a five-place grid penalty, while the full extent of Lewis Hamilton’s penalty has yet to be confirmed. Hamilton and Russell currently sit third and fourth in the standings, respectively, meaning the grid penalties could have significant implications for the fight behind Antonelli.