Max Verstappen starts from behind the grid at the Russian GP after an engine change

Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen will start behind the grid of the Russian GP when Red Bull made an engine change in Sochi.

Verstappen had already entered the race with a three-place grid penalty who had been found “primarily guilty” of a collision with title competitor Lewis Hamilton in the Italian GP.

The pair collided once before through this season, at the July UK GP, and the damage caused by Verstappen’s car forced Red Bull to change the engine ahead of schedule. Drivers only get a certain amount of each component, and the Silverstone accident made it inevitable that Red Bull would have to go outside this division at some point in the remaining races.

With a grid penalty coming and Mercedes looking like the strongest autochrom in Sochi, Red Bull has decided to switch this week.

The FIA ​​confirmed on Friday that the Verstappen car was fitted with a fourth internal combustion engine (ICE), turbocharger, MGU-K and MGU-H, as well as a third energy storage and steering electronics.

The penalty has given Hamilton an advantage, leading Verstappen by just five points. The seven-time world champion plans to leave Sochi under the leadership of the championship.