Max Verstappen has said he has not been notified about any final decision on taking an engine penalty for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, though the Red Bull driver did concede “I’ll have to take one at some point.”
It had been reported that the Milton Keynes outfit would have to give Verstappen a new engine for the remaining four races of the season after they previously exceeded the permitted number of four power units a season back in Belgium. Those reports came after the three-time world champion was plagued by engine-related issues in Mexico, as he was forced to switch to another engine in his existing pool.
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Verstappen served a 10-place grid penalty back in Belgium, though it remains to be seen what could be imposed should the team choose to make a change in Sao Paolo. But, with such a tight battle ongoing in both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships, any penalty could be critical.
However, with Ferrari and McLaren continuing to look rapid week in, week out, Red Bull may have no other option to ensure that they stay in the fight and maximise their performance for the rest of the season.
