Verstappen: Spec C engine forces Red Bull to have Russia penalties

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen reveals that the side had to use older Renault engine for the Russian Grand Prix, due to the Spec C power unit not being able to run in the upcoming races in high-altitude.

Red Bull have chosen to move Verstappen and his team-mate Daniel Ricciardo back to the older Spec B engine for the upcoming Grand Prix in Russia.

Both the drivers are forced to take grid penalties, but the extent of the penalty is yet to be announced.

"Our C-spec cannot run at high-altitude in Mexico and Brazil," Verstappen revealed to Autosport. "We also knew since we took the C-spec on that we had to take another B at one point.

"I think this is the best place to do it. Also, to have a few more spare parts in case something breaks."

Renault suffered a lot of failures in last season's Mexican Grand Prix, despite Verstappen being victorious and the reliability risk would have been even greater this time around.

Verstappen said that the C-spec was encouraging in qualifying, but lacked the cutting edge in the actual races.

"The C-spec has a bit more power in qualifying but it's the same or maybe a little bit slower in the race," Verstappen added. "The (energy) recovery is not as good. But it's all about qualifying so you would always want to take another tenth or one and a half tenth if the engine gives it to you. That's why we decided to take the C-spec."