© LAT Images for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd
Red Bull has decided to swap Max Verstappen’s engine, which means he will start the Russian Grand Prix from the back of the grid, but this will also neutralise his Italian Grand Prix penalty.
As expected Red Bull has decided to swap Max Verstappen’s engine prior to the Russian Grand Prix. This is his fourth unit in 2021, so he will have to serve a penalty and start from the back of the grid.
This would not be problematic if it wasn’t for the three-place grid penalty that Max received after the Italian Grand Prix for his collision with Lewis Hamilton.
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Since Verstappen needed to fit a new power unit sooner or later, by doing it at Sochi Red Bull basically neutralised the Italian Grand Prix penalty.
While this doesn’t seem to be against the rules, it is a sort of loophole, since this means Max will never serve the original penalty (except technically). We’ll see if the FIA will have anything to say about this.
Max has been fitted with a new engine, turbocharger, MGU-H, MGU-K, energy store and control electronics, and a fresh exhaust.
