Red Bull rule out engine change reaction for Max Verstappen

Horner, Verstappen, Red Bull — Photo: © LAT Images

São Paulo Grand Prix

Red Bull rule out engine change reaction for Verstappen

Hamilton has taken a fifth engine and a five place grid penalty in Brazil

Sam Hall

Friday 12 November 2021 18:53

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has ruled out an engine change for Max Verstappen in the São Paulo Grand Prix after F1 title rival Lewis Hamilton was hit with a five-place grid penalty.

Hamilton has taken a fifth internal combustion engine [ICE] for the season for this weekend's event at Interlagos - with only three allowed under the rules - and will fall down the order for Sunday's race.

Asked if Red Bull would consider making a similar change as Verstappen has used four engines this year, Horner firmly ruled out the possibility.

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"All things being normal, we expect to get to the end of the year with the combustion engines that we have," Horner told Sky Sports F1.

"The three are still all in use from the beginning of the year. We obviously lost one following the crash at Silverstone but with the penalty that we took in Sochi, that got us back into good shape.

"So bar abnormal circumstances, we expect to get to the end of the year."

Red Bull not focused on Mercedes

Red Bull trail Mercedes by just a single point in the constructors' standings after three consecutive double-podium finishes which have slashed the margin in recent weeks.

With Hamilton facing a third row start at best, Horner explained Red Bull is focused on its own performance and is not spending too much time looking into the garage next door.

"It doesn't change anything for us. We've just got to focus on doing the best job we can," added Horner.

"There's some weather around, the sprint race and then the main race on Sunday.

"It's entirely understandable that Mercedes would strategically decide to take that penalty here which they'll incur on Sunday.

"It's a track you can overtake at and it's going to not disappoint this weekend I'm sure."