Formula 1 drivers Isack Hadjar, Franco Colapinto, and Arvid Lindblad face substantial grid penalties for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, after their respective teams replaced internal combustion engines and power unit components beyond the seasonal limit of four. The penalties reshape the starting grid at the Sepang International Circuit, pushing multiple drivers toward the rear of the field for Sunday’s race.
Engine Replacements Trigger Penalties in Sepang
Red Bull Racing installed its seventh internal combustion engine of the season in Isack Hadjar’s RB22 during Friday practice ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, according to the sources. The FIA confirmed the change, resulting in a five-place grid penalty for Hadjar. Regulations permit four power unit components per driver annually without penalty, with subsequent changes incurring a 10-place drop for the first extra part and five places for each following infringement. The sources noted that Hadjar posted the third-fastest time in the opening practice session at Sepang, trailing only teammate Max Verstappen and Mercedes driver George Russell.
Alpine driver Franco Colapinto faces an even steeper penalty after taking his fifth Mercedes V6 engine of the year, as reported by the sources. Alpine chose to replace the component despite knowing the resulting drop, with the sources noting that the team aimed to limit longer-term damage. Colapinto also carries a five-place grid penalty from the previous round in Baku for causing a collision with Pierre Gasly and Lando Norris. Combined with a 10-place penalty for exceeding his engine allocation, Colapinto faces a 15-place drop that likely relegates him to the back row of the grid.
Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad received the heaviest sanctions of the trio. The sources reported that Lindblad will start Sunday’s race from the rear of the field after his team installed his fifth power unit of the season. The sources added that the changes to Lindblad’s car include a new internal combustion engine, turbocharger, and exhaust, accumulating a total of 30 grid places in penalties.
Strategic Dilemmas for Alpine and Red Bull
The engine penalties arrive as teams manage complex strategic challenges at Sepang, where Pirelli has brought C2, C3, and C4 tire compounds. The sources reported that the abrasive asphalt and high temperatures create tire management hurdles across the 56-lap race, alongside a weather forecast indicating a 70 percent chance of rain on Friday, 67 percent on Saturday, and 61 percent on Sunday, with temperatures ranging from 31 to 32 degrees Celsius. Alpine enters the weekend trailing Racing Bulls by 15 points in the constructors’ championship after Colapinto’s crash in Baku, making his uphill battle from the rear particularly costly for their campaign. Meanwhile, Red Bull faces recurring reliability questions, with Verstappen indicating in comments reported by the sources that he will also require a power unit change later in the season. The sources noted that team orders have previously generated friction at Red Bull, recalling the 2013 Malaysian Grand Prix where Sebastian Vettel ignored a team order to let Mark Webber pass—known as the infamous Multi-21
incident—as well as the 2016 race where Verstappen finished behind Daniel Ricciardo and stated that the team had allowed them to race as long as it stayed clean.
Why the Bahrain Grand Prix moves to Malaysia?
Why is the Bahrain Grand Prix being held in Malaysia?
The sources reported that the event could not take place in its intended Middle Eastern location due to regional conflict, prompting Formula 1 to race at the Sepang International Circuit for the first time since 2017.
How many power unit components are drivers allowed to use without penalty?
The sources noted that Formula 1 regulations permit drivers to use four internal combustion engines and associated power unit elements per season before triggering grid penalties.
What specific components were replaced on Arvid Lindblad’s car?
The sources reported that Racing Bulls installed a new internal combustion engine, a new turbocharger, and a new exhaust on Lindblad’s car, totaling 30 grid spots in penalties.
Alpine decides when to replace Pierre Gasly power unit
As the weekend proceeds, questions remain regarding when Alpine will choose to fit Colapinto’s teammate Pierre Gasly with a new power unit and incur a corresponding grid penalty, as the team has not yet decided the timing for that replacement.
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