Max Verstappen may have a grid penalty looming over the final six races of 2026, should he need any engine components replaced before the end of the season.
Max Verstappen has not rejected the possibility of having to take a grid penalty in the late stage of the 2026 F1 season.
The four-time champion has not taken an engine penalty this year, as of Austin, but is on the final allowed Internal Combustion Engine, turbocharger, MGU-K, energy store, control electronics, and exhaust system.
Teammate Isack Hadjar, however, already took a five place grid drop in Malaysia for a fresh ICE and a pit-lane start in Singapore for a new ICE again, as well as a turbocharger, exhaust, and PU-ANC. Liam Lawson also took a heavy penalty in Italy whilst deputising for the injured Hadjar, when the Frenchman’s car received a number of new components.
Verstappen has suffered two power unit failures in 2026 resulting in DNFs with a coolant leak in China and an engine failure in Monaco.
When asked if a penalty could potentially be in the cards in the closing stage of the season, Verstappen did not rule it out.
“That we have to take a penalty at one point, yeah, potentially,” the Dutchman told media, including Motorsport Week, ahead of the United States Grand Prix.
“But there’s no known date to that at the moment.
“So we just see what happens.”
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