A number of drivers on the grid this weekend will take grid penalties on Sunday as they update their machinery for the Italian Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen will receive a five-place grid penalty for Sunday after taking his fifth internal combustion engine (ICE) of the season, of which three were allowed.
The Dutchman received a 10-place penalty for fitting his fourth ICE at the Belgian GP in August, but the punishment is eased for his second offence.
Mercedes also confirmed on Thursday that Lewis Hamilton woild start from the back of the grid on Sunday after fitting new parts to his Mercedes, while the second Red Bull of Sergio Perez and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz also face penalties.
Perez is taking his fourth ICE, and has received a 10-place penalty, while Sainz is taking a new gearbox and motor generator unit-kinetic (MGU-K), equalling a combined 25-place penalty. Despite this, the Spanish driver will start infront of those also serving at the back of the grid.
Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas received a 15-place penalty for taking new parts, while Yuki Tsunoda joins Hamilton at the rear of the grid after taking a full slate of new parts.
Although Verstappen’s chances of extending his lead in the championship standings is hindered by this, the Red Bull driver was able to win from 14th on the grid at Spa after taking a penalty there and won at the Hungarian Grand Prix after starting in P10.
Charles Leclerc is in a good position to deliver a home victory for Ferrari in Monza, while Mercedes’ George Russell will also be fighting for the win from lights out.
Verstappen currently leads by 109-points over Leclerc and Perez, who are tied for second, as we head into the final seven races of the season.
