Penalty inevitable for Max Verstappen (P3 in practice) – already at the US Grand Prix?

Max Verstappen could win his third Grand Prix in a row in Texas (following Bahrain and Singapore) and his fifth in Texas. But the 29-year-old’s prospects could soon be significantly clouded – as the Dutchman confirms that he faces a penalty because he will need new engine components sooner or later.

Max is on his fourth internal combustion engine, his fourth turbocharger, his third kinetic energy recovery system, his third battery, his third control unit and his fourth exhaust – so everything is at the limit.

If Verstappen needs an additional one of these components, beyond the permitted annual quota, he will have to drop back five places. If a complete power unit is replaced, he will have to move to the back of the grid.

The 73-time Grand Prix winner in the paddock at the Circuit of the Americas: “It certainly looks as though we’ll need fresh parts sooner or later. At some point, it’ll be inevitable. But we don’t have an exact plan for that yet. We’ll have to wait and see.”

The Red Bull Racing strategists will work closely with the star driver and team principal Laurent Mekies to carefully select a track on which to carry out the swap. Preference is given to venues where overtaking is possible. That’s why nobody will be swapping parts in Singapore unless absolutely necessary.

Topic of the week

Topic of the week: MotoGP’s new schedule proved highly controversial

In 2027, MotoGP will also enter the 850cc era with a new schedule. It was not so much the changes themselves as the way the decisions were reached that caused a stir. A prime example of: ‘Talking helps’.

Thomas Kuttruf

Read More

TV Program

Tomorrow

Austin: 3. Freies Training

FIA Formula One World Championship

24.10.2026 - 19:25

Overtaking is possible at the Circuit of the Americas, as well as in Mexico and Brazil.

Max Verstappen narrowly missed out on the fastest time in the first practice session and finished second behind Charles Leclerc. However, the Dutchman’s fastest lap was disallowed because he had briefly strayed off the track. In the second practice session, Max set the third-fastest time behind Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) and Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes).

Speaking about the first day of free practice in Texas, Verstappen said: “It’s never easy to find a good set-up compromise between slow and fast corners on this circuit. The bumpy track makes it even more difficult.”

“We tried to find a good rhythm and optimise the car’s balance; that’s what we worked on between the first and second free practice sessions. There’s still some work to be done, but it’s not a bad start to the weekend.”