Max Verstappen has to accept the next setback before the first laps on the Formula 1 circuit in Interlagos, Brazil. The three-time world champion’s Red Bull car needs a new engine, but Verstappen’s team has already exceeded the limit. He will therefore be moved back five places on the starting grid for the race this Sunday (6 p.m. CET/Sky). “We cannot avoid an engine change in Brazil, with a corresponding penalty,” wrote Red Bull’s motorsport consultant Helmut Marko in his column on the in-house portal speedweek.com. For the 27-year-old Verstappen, this also means that he will probably have to catch up and overtake again in the race in order not to further reduce the lead over Lando Norris from McLaren, currently 47 points.
After the two World Championship rivals have already gotten in each other’s way on the tracks several times this year and Verstappen recently received two time penalties and two penalty points for his uncompromising driving, every new duel will offer further fuel. “He has to do it that way because the car isn’t good enough. He does whatever it takes to win the title,” said father Jos Verstappen about his son’s driving style and added with regard to the race stewards who hand out the penalties: “He won’t change his driving style just because there are a few There are stewards who don’t like him.”
