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Sao Paulo Grand Prix: Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc to Have Grid Penalties
Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, and Max Verstappen will all serve grid penalties for engine changes at the Brazilian Grand Prix, with Ferrari drivers receiving 10-place penalties and Verstappen starting from the back.
Following tough Friday practice sessions, Ferrari decided to perform engine changes on both Hamilton and Leclerc's SF-26, a decision that followed showdown talks between team principal Frederic Vasseur and the drivers over tensions from Mexico.
Red Bull officially confirmed the complete engine change on Saturday after breaking curfew Friday, while Verstappen has proven experience with comeback drives in Sao Paulo, famously winning from 17th on the grid in 2024.
Rain is predicted across the weekend, with forecasts indicating it could rain at any point on race day, potentially offering a silver lining for the penalized drivers as they charge through the field.
Meanwhile, Formula One announced on Saturday that Interlagos extended its contract to host a grand prix until 2035, with F1 president and chief executive officer Stefano Domenicali affirming the organization's long-term commitment to Brazil.