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Good news for Norris: Verstappen will get another penalty in Brazil
- Corwin Kunst
Max Verstappen is going to start from outside the top five in Brazil, no matter what. Helmut Marko confirmed this ahead of the weekend at Interlagos. This is because a completely new combustion engine is going to be introduced to his pool, which will mean a five-place penalty.
On Friday in Mexico City, Verstappen struggled with engine problems, which meant he was barely able to cover kilometres. "We are currently investigating whether we can use the engine with the leak again. But actually it is not the intention to use it again. That has to do with the number of kilometres the engine already has on it," Marko said in his column for Sky Sports.
Red Bull cannot do otherwise
Immediately after the Mexico Grand Prix, the 81-year-old Austrian was still discussing a "consideration" of incurring a grid penalty with Verstappen, but three days later, he was a bit more adamant. The conclusion: "All this means we cannot avoid replacing the engine in Brazil, with a corresponding penalty," Marko said.
The track in Brazil offers good overtaking chances. For now, it seems that it only concerns the ICE, i.e. the combustion engine. Changing that part cost him a ten-place grid penalty in Belgium, but as Verstappen is now forced to use a new engine again, it will only cost him five places.
This article has been created in collaboration with Matt Gretton