Transfer penalty in São Paulo: Verstappen has to pay dearly for engine change

Red Bull's Formula 1 star Max Verstappen faces a strategic challenge ahead of the race in Brazil. The current leader in the championship standings must drop five starting grid positions, which could give his McLaren rival Lando Norris a boost. The penalty is due to the use of a sixth internal combustion engine, as reported by FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer on Friday. According to the regulations, a maximum of four engines may be used per season. Verstappen already received a penalty at the Belgian Grand Prix in July for a fifth engine, resulting in a ten-place grid drop. The rules stipulate that the first infringement results in a loss of ten places, while subsequent violations incur a five-place penalty each. Verstappen currently leads by 47 points over Lando Norris, with four races remaining, including two sprint races on Saturday. A maximum of 120 points can still be earned. The track in Interlagos, São Paulo, with its numerous overtaking opportunities, offers a favorable chance to recover from such a painful penalty. Meanwhile, Verstappen's teammate Sergio Perez from Mexico is striving for improvement with a new chassis after a weak series. Red Bull’s chief engineer, Paul Monaghan, told the website "the-race.com" that Perez specifically requested a chassis change to enhance his performance.