Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, and Max Verstappen face substantial grid penalties ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix after critical engine changes by their teams. Ferrari’s decision to install new internal combustion engines on both Hamilton’s and Leclerc’s SF-26 machines has resulted in a 10-place drop on the Interlagos starting grid for each driver. Meanwhile, Red Bull has confirmed a full power unit replacement for Verstappen, condemning the reigning champion to start from the very back.

Friday’s practice sessions proved challenging across the board, prompting Ferrari to execute the planned engine swaps earlier than expected. Team principal Frederic Vasseur acknowledged the difficulties, stating, “We know that we have a lot to do on the balance. The balance was not good. I think the tarmac is the opposite of one week ago. It’s creating a lot of work to do.” Leclerc echoed the sentiment, describing Friday as “one of the most difficult Fridays of the year,” adding that the team faces an uphill battle preparing for qualifying and race day, particularly with uncertain weather looming.

Red Bull’s Verstappen, who initially avoided a power unit change at Interlagos, experienced multiple “small issues” during practice, including an early exit from the session that prevented him from conducting a vital practice start on the uphill grid. The Milton Keynes outfit’s mechanics were spotted working under the RB22 immediately after Verstappen’s withdrawal, a clear sign of deeper technical problems. The full power unit swap was confirmed following a breach of the team curfew late Friday night, a rare and costly violation.

Starting from the back is a familiar challenge for Verstappen at Interlagos. The Dutchman’s past comebacks include a remarkable drive from the pit lane to the podium last year and a dominant victory from 17th in 2024, a performance that effectively ended Lando Norris’s championship hopes. His 2016 wet-weather charge, despite a strategic tyre error by Red Bull, remains one of the circuit’s most memorable drives.

Hamilton, now racing under the Ferrari banner, has also demonstrated resilience at Interlagos. His 2021 campaign featured two stunning comeback drives: moving from 20th to fifth in the sprint and then winning the main race after starting 10th. However, this season, Ferrari’s struggles with car balance have dimmed hopes of replicating such feats.

Adding to the competitive shuffle, Sergio Perez has received a new internal combustion engine, turbocharger, and MGU-K, resulting in a grid penalty that will also force him to start from the back. With a wet race forecast, conditions might level the playing field, offering these penalised drivers a chance to claw their way through the field.

Vasseur remains cautiously optimistic despite the setbacks: “The weather forecast for tomorrow and Sunday is so-so, so I think that we have to be prepared for all the conditions. But I’m not less optimistic than last week.”

As the Brazilian Grand Prix looms, the battle to overcome these penalties promises to send shockwaves through the championship fight at the iconic Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace.