Hamilton, Leclerc and Verstappen to take Sao Paulo Grand Prix grid drops after power unit changes

By Vancouver Television Sports Desk

Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen have been set for grid drops at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix after their respective teams changed power unit components within their cars, triggering penalties under Formula 1 regulations, Formula1.com reported on November 7, 2026.

Ferrari has exceeded the season allowance for the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) on both Hamilton’s and Leclerc’s cars, which results in 10-place grid penalties for each driver. In the case of Red Bull, Verstappen’s car has received power unit component changes that went beyond the limit for the ICE, Turbo Charger and Exhaust, leading to a back-of-the-grid penalty.

The same regulations also apply to new power unit allocations when more than one part of the power unit is altered. Formula1.com noted that the first time the allocation of any one of the elements is exceeded at an event, a 10-place grid penalty is applied. If it occurs a second time (and additional times thereafter), the grid drop increases to five places for each subsequent occurrence. All penalties at the same event apply cumulatively.

Formula1.com further explained that if a driver incurs a penalty exceeding 15 grid places, they must start the race from the back of the field. With Hamilton, Verstappen and Leclerc each facing grid-drop consequences based on the reported component changes, all three are expected to move down the order from whatever position they qualify for on Saturday.

George Russell, the Mercedes driver, had already confirmed that he will be taking a five-place grid penalty this weekend for a similar engine-related change, according to the same report.

The power unit adjustments also extend beyond the drivers facing the largest grid consequences. Formula1.com reported that Cadillac, listed as the team entering as 2026 newcomers in the report’s context, provided Sergio Perez with a new Ferrari ICE, Turbo Charger and Motor Generator Unit-K (MGU-K). That combination leads to a grip drop for Perez under the regulations referenced in the report.

The report also placed the current penalties in context by referencing prior recoveries from the back of the grid in Sao Paulo. It cited Hamilton’s 2021 return to contention after he was disqualified from Friday Qualifying for a Drag Reduction System irregularity, followed by a five-place grid penalty for an engine change. It also cited Verstappen’s comebacks in 2024 and 2025 after challenging qualifying sessions and additional grid-start consequences, including an engine penalty and a pit-lane start in 2025 following multiple car changes.

With the final impact of these changes determined at the grid, the Sao Paulo Grand Prix will feature multiple drivers starting lower than their qualifying positions, setting up recoveries in Sunday’s race.

Under the reported rule structure, the exact number of grid places served depends on how the season allocation limits are exceeded for the relevant power unit components and whether penalties accumulate at the same event.