The road to the Brazilian GP looks set to be a complex one for Red Bull, who are coming off a troubled weekend in Mexico. Drivers' championship leader Max Verstappen saw his lead reduced by a double 10-second penalty for aggressive manoeuvres against Lando Norris, finishing in sixth place. In addition to the penalties, the race was marked by obvious performance problems, with Red Bull forced to use an engine that was not suited to competing for the top positions. Now, On the eve of the weekend in Brazil, at Interlagos, Helmut Marko confirmed that a new power unit will be needed on Verstappen's car, which will result in a grid penalty.
The Power Unit Problem at Red Bull's house
During free practice in Mexico, Verstappen lost valuable track time due to an engine intake problem. According to Marko, this lack of mileage compromised the car's set-up, negatively impacting its race performance. “We were one of the slowest cars on the straights,” explained the Austrian advisor. “When a Formula 1 engine reaches a certain number of kilometers, the reduction in performance is clearly noticeable. We cannot avoid changing the engine in Brazil and taking the corresponding penalty.”
Verstappen heading for penalty in Brazil
The engine change will result in a five-place grid penalty for Verstappen, which will only affect Sunday's race. Marko was optimistic though: “Interlagos is a circuit where it is relatively easy to overtake, so the penalty will be less severe here than elsewhere.” However, the Austrian also acknowledged that Red Bull is at a significant disadvantage compared to Ferrari and McLaren: “We saw that, even with a normal weekend, we would not have been able to match the speed of Ferrari and McLaren. Norris’ times, in particular, were incredible.”
Uncertain prospects for the end of the season
With a lead of just 47 points over Lando Norris, the three-time world champion is called upon to defend his lead in a tense end to the season. Verstappen will have to fight not only against his rivals on the track but also against the limits of his car, which has shown signs of giving way. Marko admits that Interlagos will be another complex challenge: “Brazil is made up of slow corners, one of our weak points, while Qatar could be a more favorable opportunity.”
Source statements: FormulaPassion
