Max Verstappen may very well be set for an engine change grid penalty at this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix, with Pink Bull nervous about his lack of straightline pace.
The Dutchman had a troublesome time within the Mexico GP with engine issues throughout apply on Friday forcing an unprompted energy unit change for the remainder of the weekend.
And whereas using his pool engine meant no additional mechanical points, its excessive mileage meant a decline in its efficiency and hampered the three-time world champion within the race.
Pace lure figures throughout the beginning/end straight, earlier than DRS is activated, confirmed Verstappen topped out at 251.4km/h – which was properly adrift of team-mate Sergio Perez on 253.4km/h.
Verstappen was second slowest of all on the first intermediate lure, logging 299.6km/h in comparison with Perez on 303.1 and title rival Lando Norris on 307.9km/h.
With Pink Bull already on the again foot with its RB20 struggling to match the race type of Ferrari and McLaren, the group is aware of it in all probability must decide to a recent energy unit to assist increase Verstappen’s hopes – and Interlagos is smart as a result of it’s a observe the place overtaking is less complicated.
Whereas the important thing speaking level after the race for Verstappen was on his penalties for driving infringements towards Norris, Pink Bull says that the shortage of pace is a a lot greater fear.
Pink Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko instructed Motorsport.com: “Extra alarming is that we could not make the tyres work – each medium and laborious.
Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing RB20, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24
Picture by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Photos
“We had been nowhere close to the 2 entrance groups, and I suppose a part of the issue is that Friday, we could not drive due to the engine issues.
“We now have to do one thing, that is clear. We additionally can have a change the engine as a result of we had been so gradual on the straight.
“This engine, which was within the automotive, was not purported to be within the automotive, so most probably Brazil might occur.”
Chatting with Austrian broadcaster ORF, Marko mentioned that the engine Verstappen used within the Mexico race had solely been supposed for use in apply classes for the rest of the marketing campaign.
“The engine we had in there was not supposed for the race, and the older an engine will get, the extra its efficiency diminishes,” he mentioned.
“The penalty can be 5 locations. That would not be so extreme in Brazil, for instance, the place you may overtake comparatively simply. However we noticed that we had been lacking three to eight km/h on the straights.”
Verstappen at present holds a 47-point benefit over Norris within the standings, and any engine penalty would solely imply a grid drop for the principle grand prix reasonably than the dash race that Brazil will host on the Saturday.
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