Three drivers will face grid penalties during Sunday’s Formula 1 United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas, following several power unit changes.
Heading into Qualifying day in Texas, the FIA confirmed Arvid Lindblad, Franco Colapinto and Gabriel Bortoleto would receive grid penalties. The trio had exceeded their permitted power unit component allocations for the 2026 season. Thus, prompting a penalty for Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Lindblad has been handed a five-place grid penalty after Racing Bulls introduced a sixth internal combustion engine (ICE) of the campaign. Exceeding the four units permitted under the regulations. The Briton started from the back of the grid in Malaysia after the team installed his fifth ICE of the season. But another replacement incurs another penalty.
Meanwhile, Colapinto has been hit with a 10-place grid penalty after Alpine introduced a fourth control electronics unit for the Argentine driver. The penalty comes as Colapinto looks to help Alpine close the gap to midfield rivals Racing Bulls.
But Bortoleto’s penalty was the largest of the trio. The Brazilian’s Audi underwent several changes, including an energy storage unit and a control electronics unit change. As a result, he will start from the back of the grid. After receiving a 20-place grid penalty for the changes.
Audi has also introduced a new ICE, turbocharger, exhaust set and power unit ancillary component on Bortoleto’s car. However, these replacements remain within the permitted allocations and will not contribute to his grid penalty.
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