Red Bull driver Max Verstappen will receive a five-place grid penalty at the Brazilian Grand Prix as his team has decided to change the engine. This decision could give McLaren's Lando Norris the opportunity to reduce the 47-point lead Verstappen has in the drivers' championship. The FIA confirmed the news on Friday during practice at the Interlagos track.
Verstappen had already faced a 10-place penalty at the Belgian Grand Prix in July for exceeding the allowed engine limit. This will be his fifth penalty of the season. In the first practice session on Friday, Verstappen finished in fifteenth place, one second behind Norris, who topped the timesheets.
Drivers are allowed to use up to four engines throughout the season. On Friday afternoon, drivers will participate in qualifying for the sprint race that will be held on Saturday. Verstappen, a three-time Formula 1 champion, leads the championship with four races remaining on the calendar.
In a press conference on Thursday, Verstappen expressed uncertainty about whether he would change the engine in Brazil. The final decision by his team to make the engine change will result in a grid penalty for the Grand Prix on Sunday.
