Red Bull confirm Max Verstappen to start Russian Grand Prix from the back
Red Bull have confirmed that driver Max Verstappen will start Sunday’s Russian Grand Prix from the back due to engine penalties.
The Dutch driver entered the weekend of the race in Sochi with a 3 place grid penalty for his crash with championship rival Lewis Hamilton at Monza last time out.
At the same time, it was also known Red Bull needed to take penalties for using a 4th engine and power unit – one more than allowed – after one of Verstappen’s engines was broken by his crash with Hamilton at Silverstone.
Initially, Red Bull hinted they may wait until after qualifying before deciding whether to take the penalties. But shortly into FP2 ahead of the Russian Grand Prix, it was announced the new power unit had been fitted and Verstappen would start the race at the back.
The Milton Keynes-based team confirmed the decision to take the fourth engine penalty ahead of what is widely forecast to be wet weather qualifying tomorrow (25/09), which means the championship leader will be tasked with making a recovery drive.
Verstappen has previously managed a fine result from the back in Sochi due to grid penalties, finishing 5th from a 19th place start in 2018 and running a lot of the race in first, though he himself said it will likely be harder this time.
Verstappen will be one of two drivers starting at the back due to taking on extra power unit components. The other is Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, with the Monegasque driver needing an extra unit following damage in an opening lap crash in Hungary.
In further news, Red Bull junior Dennis Hauger was crowned Formula 3 champion after winning the first race of the F3 triple header at Sochi this weekend. The Norwegian beat fellow Red Bull junior Jack Doohan to the prize, with Hauger confirmed as champion after finishing second in today’s race, with nobody else now able to catch him.