Max Verstappen, the reigning World Champion, may face a grid penalty at the upcoming Brazilian Grand Prix, posing a significant challenge to his 2024 title defense. This comes after engine-related issues troubled Verstappen during the Mexican Grand Prix, raising concerns over Red Bull’s competitive edge in the season’s final stretch.
Engine Troubles at the Mexican GP
During practice at Mexico City, Red Bull opted to switch Verstappen’s engine after detecting an intake air circuit leakage. Although he avoided a penalty by using a power unit from his existing pool, Verstappen’s performance was notably hindered. FIA speed trap data revealed that Verstappen was up to 2kph slower than teammate Sergio Perez before entering the DRS zone on the main straight, limiting his competitiveness.
Losing Ground to Rivals
Verstappen’s reduced engine power left him vulnerable to attacks from Carlos Sainz, who ultimately won the race, while Verstappen finished a distant sixth. This marked his joint-lowest classified result of the season, a concerning development as his lead over Lando Norris shrank to 47 points with only four races left.
Championship Rivalry with Lando Norris
With Norris reducing the gap in points, Verstappen’s lead, though still substantial, could be threatened further. Verstappen has not secured a win since the Spanish Grand Prix on June 23, marking a 10-race winless streak—the longest dry spell in his career since 2020.
Insights from Red Bull’s Helmut Marko
Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko indicated that Verstappen may indeed accept a grid penalty at Interlagos, where overtaking opportunities could minimize the impact of a five-place grid drop. “The engine we had in Mexico was not intended for racing, and as engines age, performance declines,” Marko explained. In Brazil, however, the penalty’s impact would be reduced due to the overtaking-friendly layout of the circuit.
Opportunity for Norris and Lessons from the Past
Norris, who demonstrated strong performances at Interlagos last season, could capitalize on Verstappen’s potential penalty. His impressive sprint and race positions last year make him a formidable competitor. Notably, Norris is also close to his power unit component limit, raising the possibility of an engine penalty for him later in the season.
Verstappen’s Experience with Grid Penalties
This would not be Verstappen’s first grid penalty this year; he served a 10-place penalty at the Belgian Grand Prix but still managed to recover to fourth place, showcasing his skill in navigating the field despite setbacks. Similarly, the Interlagos Circuit has seen Lewis Hamilton recover from grid penalties, notably in 2021 when he surged from last to first in the sprint race while vying for the title against Verstappen.
Conclusion
If confirmed, Verstappen’s penalty would only apply to Sunday’s main race, leaving his sprint race prospects unaffected. The Brazilian Grand Prix promises to be a critical test for Verstappen as he battles to maintain his lead over Norris and secure his hold on the F1 2024 Championship.
