Three of Formula 1's leading drivers will start the São Paulo Grand Prix with significant grid penalties after exceeding their seasonal engine component allocations. According to BBC Sport, Max Verstappen will drop to the back of the grid, while Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will each receive 10-place penalties for the race on Sunday, 8 November 2026.
Mercedes driver George Russell will also face a penalty, though his is less severe at five places. All four drivers have fitted new internal combustion engines ahead of the event. Formula1.com reported that Verstappen exceeded the limits not only for the internal combustion engine but also for the turbocharger and exhaust, triggering the back-of-the-grid start under the penalty rules.
Why are the penalties different?
The severity of each penalty reflects how many times a driver has previously exceeded their component allocation. Under F1's penalty rules, a 10-place drop applies the first time a component allocation is exceeded, with a five-place drop for subsequent exceedances; penalties at the same event are cumulative, and a total exceeding 15 places means starting at the back. For Hamilton and Leclerc, this is their first time exceeding the limit of four engines per season, resulting in the 10-place penalty. Russell had already gone beyond that threshold earlier in the season, which is why his penalty is only five places.
What triggered Verstappen's engine change?
Red Bull discovered problems with Verstappen's power unit during Friday practice and decided to fit an all-new engine to address the issues. This decision, combined with exceeding multiple component limits, resulted in the back-of-the-grid penalty.
Can Verstappen recover from the back?
Verstappen has a history of remarkable comebacks at this circuit. He famously won the 2024 São Paulo Grand Prix from 17th on the grid after an engine penalty in a wet race. In 2025, after starting from the pit lane, he climbed to third. Rain is predicted overnight from Saturday into Sunday in São Paulo this year, with forecasts suggesting it could rain at any point on race day, potentially creating conditions similar to those that favoured Verstappen's previous recovery.
What about the circuit's future?
Beyond the penalty drama, F1 announced on Saturday that Interlagos had extended its contract to host a grand prix until 2035. F1 president and chief executive officer Stefano Domenicali expressed his enthusiasm for the agreement, stating:
Brazil is an important part of F1's history and our future, and I am delighted that this five-year extension will see us continue racing in Sao Paulo until 2035. The passion of our Brazilian fans is extraordinary, and every time we return to Interlagos we feel their energy in the grandstands and in the city of Sao Paulo. The continued success and excitement surrounding the event shows why it holds such a special place on our calendar, and this agreement underlines our long-term commitment to Brazil.
What happens next?
The São Paulo Grand Prix is scheduled for Sunday, 8 November 2026, at 14:00 local time. The next round after Brazil is the Las Vegas Grand Prix, scheduled for 19–21 November 2026.
