Five drivers are set to serve grid penalties at the 2026 F1 São Paulo GP following power unit changes at Interlagos. Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc each face ten-place grid drops, while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Cadillac’s Sergio Pérez are set to start from the back of the grid. Mercedes driver George Russell has also received a five-place penalty.
The FIA detailed the latest component changes in Technical Delegate’s Report Document 30, issued on Saturday, 7 November. The report identifies several drivers exceeding their permitted power unit allocations under the 2026 Formula 1 Sporting Regulations, with the corresponding penalties determined by Article B8.2.8.
Hamilton and Leclerc face ten-place grid penalties
Ferrari has introduced a fifth internal combustion engine (ICE) for both Hamilton and Leclerc ahead of the São Paulo GP, exceeding the four units permitted for each driver throughout the championship season.
As these are the first additional engines beyond their respective allocations, both drivers face ten-place grid penalties. Under the regulations, the first infringement involving a particular power unit component attracts a ten-place drop, while subsequent excess components of the same type carry five-place penalties.
The changes leave Ferrari with two drivers set to receive identical sanctions, although their final starting positions will depend on the application of all grid penalties following qualifying.
Verstappen set for back-of-the-grid start
Verstappen faces a cumulative 30-place grid penalty after Red Bull introduced three new power unit components for the weekend.
The Dutchman has received his fifth ICE, fifth turbocharger and fifth exhaust set of the season. Each replacement exceeds the permitted allocation of four units and represents the first additional component of its respective type.
Consequently, each replacement attracts a ten-place penalty, producing a combined 30-place grid drop. Under the Sporting Regulations, drivers accumulating penalties exceeding 15 grid positions must start from the back of the grid.
The FIA also confirmed that Red Bull introduced a new power unit ancillary component for Verstappen. However, this remains within the permitted seasonal allocation and does not attract an additional penalty.
Pérez also faces back-of-the-grid penalty
Cadillac has made three changes exceeding the permitted power unit allocations for Pérez, resulting in another cumulative 30-place grid penalty.
The Mexican has received his fifth ICE and fifth turbocharger, both exceeding the four units permitted for the season. Cadillac has also introduced a fourth motor generator unit-kinetic (MGU-K), surpassing the allocation of three.
Each component change represents Pérez’s first infringement of that particular allocation, resulting in three separate ten-place penalties. His combined sanction therefore exceeds the 15-place threshold, requiring him to start from the back of the grid.
Cadillac has additionally installed a new power unit ancillary component. However, the replacement complies with the regulations and does not increase Pérez’s penalty.
Russell receives five-place penalty for sixth ICE
Russell’s five-place grid penalty was confirmed on Friday, 6 November, after Mercedes introduced a sixth ICE for the São Paulo GP.
The British driver had already exceeded his permitted allocation of four engines earlier in the season. As the latest replacement represents a subsequent excess component of the same type, it carries a five-place penalty rather than the ten-place sanction applied to a first infringement.
The FIA’s subsequent technical report also identified a new power unit ancillary component for Russell. However, the replacement remains within the permitted allocation and does not result in a further penalty.
Russell therefore retains his previously confirmed five-place grid drop for Sunday’s race.
Summary of the 2026 São Paulo GP grid penalties
The five penalties arise from excess power unit components, with the first additional component of each type attracting ten places and subsequent additions attracting five places. Penalties accumulate when multiple allocations are exceeded during the same event.
The penalties are as follows:
- Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari: Ten-place grid penalty for a fifth ICE.
- Charles Leclerc, Ferrari: Ten-place grid penalty for a fifth ICE.
- Max Verstappen, Red Bull: Back-of-the-grid start following a cumulative 30-place penalty for a fifth ICE, turbocharger and exhaust set.
- Sergio Pérez, Cadillac: Back-of-the-grid start following a cumulative 30-place penalty for a fifth ICE, turbocharger and fourth MGU-K.
- George Russell, Mercedes: Five-place grid penalty for a sixth ICE.
The final starting grid will be established following qualifying and the application of any outstanding penalties.wing qualifying.
