Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull's Max Verstappen will start from the back of the grid at Sunday's São Paulo Grand Prix after power-unit changes resulted in penalties for both drivers. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Mercedes' George Russell will also face grid penalties, with Leclerc dropping 10 places and Russell five.
Hamilton initially faced a 10-place penalty for exceeding his power-unit allowance for the season. However, after a new internal combustion engine fitted Saturday morning failed during final practice, Ferrari installed an entire new power unit, leading to the more severe penalty. Verstappen received an all-new engine after Red Bull discovered problems following Friday practice.
Leclerc and Russell both fitted new internal combustion engines. Leclerc's larger penalty reflects that Ferrari exceeded the limit of four engines per season on his car for the first time, while Russell had already surpassed that threshold. Verstappen previously won the São Paulo Grand Prix from 17th on the grid after an engine penalty in wet conditions.
Qualifying is expected to be wet after rain began about an hour before the session. Rain is forecast to continue overnight and could occur at any point on race day. Formula 1 also announced Saturday that São Paulo's Interlagos circuit extended its contract to host a grand prix until 2035.