Verstappen to start Brazilian GP from back after 30-place penalty

Max Verstappen will start the Brazilian Grand Prix from the back of the grid after receiving a 30-place penalty for exceeding his 2026 engine-component allocations. The penalty was confirmed by the FIA before qualifying at Interlagos, where the Red Bull driver took part only in the opening segment, Q1.

The penalty covers Verstappen’s fifth internal combustion engine, fifth turbocharger and fifth exhaust of the season, each beyond the permitted allocation. Because the combined grid drops exceed 15 places, the regulations require him to start from the back. A separate power-unit ancillary component change was within the permitted allowance and did not add to the penalty.

Verstappen said he knew he would start at the back and wanted to avoid unnecessary risk in qualifying. He ran in Q1, advanced to Q2 but did not take part in that segment. He said the aim had been to record a lap, and that he was already focused on the race.

The qualifying session was delayed by heavy rain. Verstappen said he spent some of the wait watching Premier League football, including Nottingham Forest’s match against Manchester City, before returning to the car. His account of the broadcast and what he...