The Formula 1 world paid respect to the late Queen Elizabeth II before the start of the practice session ahead of the Italian Grand Prix this weekend in Monza.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen will receive a five-place grid penalty in Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza after new engine parts were fitted to his race car. Verstappen’s run of four consecutive victories might be under threat with this development, but the Red Bull driver was able to win from 14th on the grid in Belgium while also winning from 10th in Hungary.
Verstappen has taken his fifth internal combustion engine of the season, with only three were allowed by Formula 1. The Dutchman received a 10-place penalty for taking his fourth ICE engine at the Belgian Grand Prix but the punishment is lowered for his second offence.
Mercedes had confirmed on Thursday that Lewis Hamilton will start from the back of the grid after taking new parts, while Verstappen’s Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz are also facing penalties.
Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas will receive a 15-place penalty while Yuki Tsunoda joins Hamilton and Sainz at the rear of the grid after taking a full slate of new parts.
George Russell has a good chance to contend this weekend due to various engine penalties for his rivals – but early reports indicate he’s not too happy with his car’s balance at the moment.