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Max Verstappen could face a 10-place grid penalty for taking a fifth engine this season. Reports indicate Honda's inspection of the power unit swapped in Canada suggests it may need replacing.
Red Bull Racing has already used four internal combustion engines in Verstappen's RB20 so far in the season. The latest one was changed in Canada, and the unit was sent over to Honda for inspection. The results, as reported by Autosport, will not be in the team's favor. According to the reports, Honda will officially announce that he is losing that power unit.
Verstappen had problems with the electrical system, so this unit was swapped in Canada, and the engine was returned to Honda in Japan for a comprehensive inspection.
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Taking a fifth unit of the ICE triggers a 10-place grid penalty. Hence, even if Max Verstappen manages to get pole position in the race where he is supposed to serve the penalty, he will be starting from P10. This could be a huge disappointment for the team, given they don't currently have the fastest car. While the 26-year-old won in Spain despite not having the fastest car, starting so far down the grid could make it difficult.
Red Bull TP Christian Horner feels a grid penalty is inevitable after Max Verstappen's Spain victory
While the reports might not have been confirmed yet, Red Bull's team principal, Christian Horner, feels that avoiding a grid penalty is impossible because sooner or later the team will have to switch to the new engine during the duration of the season. Speaking to the media after the Spanish Grand Prix, he said:
"We've got to see how it plays out. But I think it's inevitable that he’ll take an extra engine."
Max Verstappen is no stranger to grid penalties. During the Belgian Grand Prix in 2022, he started the race from P14 because of a penalty for using an extra power unit, similar to the situation he could face this season. However, he managed to get ahead of the grid and won the race, finishing a staggering 17.8 seconds ahead of teammate Sergio Perez in second.
While he clearly does not have that dominant of a car, Verstappen's skills behind the wheel have allowed him to win races. He has been extremely consistent in recent seasons, and hence, even if he is handed a grid penalty, he is not one to be discounted.
