Max Verstappen is facing the possibility of a grid penalty at the upcoming Brazilian Grand Prix, a development that could impact his title hopes for the 2024 Formula 1 season. This news follows a challenging weekend for the reigning World Champion during the Mexican Grand Prix, where he encountered significant engine issues. These concerns were serious enough to warrant an engine change before the final practice session, as the Red Bull team struggled with an intake air circuit leakage that could not be resolved in time.
In Mexico City, Verstappen’s running was limited, prompting Red Bull to switch to another engine from his pool. Fortunately, this change allowed him to avoid a penalty during that race. However, the older engine he utilized during the race resulted in a noticeable power deficiency, with speed trap figures indicating that he was significantly slower than his teammate, Sergio Perez. This lack of performance was evident as Verstappen faced challenges from competitors, including eventual race winner Carlos Sainz, and ultimately finished a disappointing sixth, marking one of his lowest results of the season.
Adding to Verstappen’s woes, he received two separate time penalties during the race due to incidents with Lando Norris, who is a rival for the 2024 championship. This outcome allowed Norris to close the points gap, reducing Verstappen’s lead to 47 points with only four races remaining in the season. Despite this, Verstappen has maintained a solid lead over Norris, even though he hasn’t secured a win since the Spanish Grand Prix on June 23, marking a significant 10-race winless streak.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has indicated that an engine penalty is likely for Verstappen in Brazil. He noted that the engine used in Mexico was not race-ready and that older engines tend to lose performance. Marko suggested that while a five-place grid drop would typically be severe, Interlagos is a track known for its overtaking opportunities, making such a penalty less impactful. He also mentioned that Verstappen’s car was missing crucial speed on the straights, further underscoring the necessity of a more competitive engine.
The potential penalty could be a boost for Lando Norris, who performed exceptionally well in Brazil last season, including setting pole position for the sprint race. It remains uncertain if Norris will also face an engine penalty before the season concludes, as he, along with several other drivers, approaches the limits of their permitted powertrain components. Historically, drivers like Lewis Hamilton have successfully navigated grid penalties at Interlagos, showcasing the challenging yet dynamic nature of racing on this circuit. If Verstappen’s penalty is confirmed, it would apply only to the main race, leaving his sprint race eligibility unaffected.