F1 News
Question looms for final part of 2024: Penalty for Norris and Verstappen?
- Ludo van Denderen
The Formula 1 season is about to enter its final part. There are six Grands Prix and three sprints remaining. In these races, Lando Norris will try to catch up with Max Verstappen (52 points). Every point counts for the title contenders, and a grid penalty is something they will want to avoid. There are question marks over whether or not they will be forced into grid penalties because of an engine change.
Max Verstappen has now used five power units during the year, one more than the allowed number during an F1 season. At the Belgian Grand Prix, the Red Bull Racing driver received his fifth power unit, and he was pushed back 10 places.
There are rumours in the paddock that Verstappen may have another penalty hanging over his head, as another engine change could be imminent. Red Bull Racing has not announced anything about this, but the fact is that the last change was in Belgium - now five Grand Prix weekends ago, and there are still six weekends (with three sprint races) to go. If Verstappen has to opt for a sixth power unit, it will result in a penalty of five places on the grid.
What is the situation for Norris and Mclaren?
Lando Norris has used four power units, the maximum number he is allowed to have without penalty. When asked by GPblog whether the Brit will need a fifth power unit—and thus obviously incurs a penalty—McLaren remained tight-lipped. The British team don't want to show their cards. If they need to, it will be announced as late as possible.
This article has been created in collaboration with Matt Gretton