Hamilton penalized on the grid in Türkiye

The world championship leader will have to fall at least 10 places on Sunday in Istanbul after the introduction of a fourth Mercedes internal combustion engine into its annual fleet.

Published on 08/10/2021 à 10:58

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Hamilton penalized on the grid in Türkiye

After Verstappen, it's Hamilton's turn to receive an engine penalty / © DPPI

It's been in the air for a while, it's now official. Lewis Hamilton will use a 4th internal combustion engine (ICE) this weekend at the Turkish Grand Prix.

Consequence of the introduction of this new element of the powertrain Mercedes, the world championship leader will have to move back 10 places on the starting grid on Sunday in Istanbul. Only 3 ICEs are in fact tolerated per driver each season.

If other PU components were to be changed on the Briton's W12, the latter would find himself pushed squarely to the back of the grid, alongside Carlos Sainz. The Spaniard will indeed take on board a new propeller Ferrari complete (heat engine, turbocharger, MGU-H, MGU-K, battery, and electronic control).

Two weeks ago, it was Hamilton's great rival, Max Verstappen, who took a new PU Honda and started dead last at the Russian Grand Prix. The pilot Red Bull had done better than limit the damage in Sochi since he had moved up to 2nd position, behind Hamilton, dropping only 7 small points.

The seven-time world champion, who is two lengths ahead of Verstappen, hopes to imitate his Dutch opponent on a Turkish track where overtaking is possible.