Verstappen set to start from the back at F1's Brazilian GP
Max Verstappen is set to start Formula 1's Brazilian Grand Prix from the back of the grid after his Red Bull team made engine component changes.
Verstappen was third in FP2 - and third in the long-run averages - on Friday in Brazil, but he was highly vocal on the radio about engine and clutch issues.
Red Bull's head of strategy Hannah Schmitz said on Friday that Red Bull was "looking into several changes for Max's car. There were things he was unhappy with, but we know what they are so can work on them".
Verstappen said he "had some issues with the steering, which we’ll need to fix ahead of qualifying".
"There’s still a bit of work to do, but nothing major. We’ll focus on maximising our performance and maybe hope for a little bit of rain."
Red Bull was one of two teams (along with Aston Martin) to break the FIA curfew, the second of the allowed four occasions they can do so per season.
As first reported by De Telegraaf's Erik van Haren, Verstappen is now set to join George Russell and Lewis Hamilton in taking grid penalties for Sunday's race after engine component changes.
"He's done a few miracles in the past here starting from the back," Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies told Sky Sports F1, referencing Verstappen's win from 17th on the grid in 2024 in Brazil and his drive from the pitlane to finish third last year.
Verstappen has won three of the last four races and moved into second place in the drivers' championship after his Mexico victory last Sunday.
Red Bull is also in a close fight with McLaren for third in the championship as it leads McLaren by 17 points with four races left.
Mekies confirmed Red Bull will consider using Verstappen to help his team-mate Isack Hadjar in qualifying, but that may be redundant if it's a rain-affected session where a clear track will be preferred.
