At the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton will start from the back of the grid due to penalties related to their power units. Charles Leclerc and George Russell will also serve penalties, altering their positions on the starting grid.
George Russell, who qualified in second place, will start the race from seventh place due to a five-place penalty. Charles Leclerc, who qualified fourth, will receive a 10-place penalty and start from 14th position. Liam Lawson and Nico Hulkenberg will take third and fourth on the grid after penalties are applied to other drivers.
The penalties are the result of engine replacements. Hamilton received a 10-place penalty for exceeding the allowed number of engines in the season. After his new internal combustion engine failed during the final practice session on Saturday morning, Ferrari fitted a new power unit to his car, resulting in an additional penalty. Verstappen also received a new engine after Red Bull discovered issues following Friday.
Leclerc and Russell also replaced their internal combustion engines. Leclerc's penalty is larger because he exceeded the limit of four engines for the first time this season, while Russell had already exceeded that limit earlier.
Qualifying was held on a wet track due to rain that began about an hour before the session started. Rain is expected to continue falling during the night and on race day.
Interlagos, the circuit in Sao Paulo, has extended its contract to host the Grand Prix until 2035. Formula 1 President Stefano Domenicali highlighted the importance of Brazil in the history and future of the sport. He emphasised the passion of Brazilian fans, which is felt in the stands and the city, and confirmed Formula 1's long-term commitment to Brazil.
