Max Verstappen will start from the back of the grid at the Formula 1 Brazilian Grand Prix this Sunday (the 8th), after Red Bull decided to replace the entire power unit of his car. According to information published by the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, problems identified during Friday’s practice sessions (the 6th) in Interlagos led the team to bring forward a swap that had been planned for later in the season.
The decision is expected to result in a starting-grid penalty for the four-time world champion, complicating his bid in the Brazilian round. Red Bull had intended to delay the engine replacement for as long as possible, but concluded that the risks of continuing to use the current equipment were too high.
According to De Telegraaf, the problems emerged on Friday, prompting the team to opt for a complete power unit replacement. The move aims to prevent a mechanical failure from compromising Verstappen’s participation in the race, although it entails a substantial loss of starting positions.
The Dutchman, however, has already delivered important comebacks at Interlagos. In the 2025 edition, he started from the pits after an engine change and managed to finish in third place, despite facing the challenge of overtaking several rivals.
A year earlier, in 2024, Verstappen produced another remarkable comeback at the Brazilian circuit. In wet track conditions, the driver started the race in 17th position and clinched the victory, demonstrating his ability to move up through the field in adverse conditions.
The possibility of rain for this Sunday’s race adds another element to the situation. If the wet-track forecast is confirmed, Verstappen could encounter conditions similar to those he faced in his 2024 victory, though another comeback will depend on the car’s performance and the race’s circumstances.
The Red Bull driver is also not expected to be the only prominent name affected by penalties on the grid. George Russell of Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari also face positions losses for the race.
As of now, information about Verstappen’s power unit replacement is attributed to De Telegraaf, with no official confirmation presented in the report. The expectation is that the decision will significantly alter the Dutchman’s starting position at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
