Lewis Hamilton will start from the back of the grid at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix after Ferrari replaced his entire power unit following engine problems in final practice at Interlagos.
The change came after Hamilton’s new engine ran into almost-immediate problems on Saturday, forcing Ferrari to make the replacement and send him to the rear for Sunday’s race, which begins at 5pm. Hamilton had initially been set to drop 10 places after taking a fifth internal combustion engine of the season, one more than is permitted, but the power-unit issue has now turned that into a back-of-the-grid start.
How the grid penalties developed
Hamilton was not the only driver facing a penalty in Brazil. On Friday, George Russell’s demotion for a new engine was confirmed, while on Saturday at Interlagos, Max Verstappen’s back-of-the-grid start was confirmed ahead of final practice. Hamilton and Leclerc had also both initially been set to drop 10 places after taking fifth internal combustion engines of the season.
That sequence matters because grid penalties can completely reshape a race before the lights even go out. Hamilton is in a close fight for second in the Drivers’ Championship with three other drivers, so losing track position at this stage adds another layer of difficulty to an already tight battle.
What it means for Ferrari and Mercedes
The penalty is also a boost to Mercedes’ hopes of clinching the Constructors’ Championship on Sunday. Ferrari now has both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc dealing with grid setbacks, while Mercedes will be watching the race with added interest as the championship picture tightens with four races to go.
Verstappen’s position may also serve as a reminder of what can happen at Interlagos. He won in the wet from 17th on the grid in 2024 and came from the pit lane to finish third in the dry last year. As Laurent Mekies put it, Verstappen has done “a few miracles” starting from the back here before, and Ferrari will hope Hamilton can recover in similar fashion on Grand Prix Sunday.
