Red Bull driver Max Verstappen will start from the back of the grid at the Italian Grand Prix after incurring an engine penalty. The Dutchman is set to run the new “Spec Four” Honda power unit at Monza, meaning he will have gone over the permitted number of engines that can be used in his car over the season.
Verstappen’s new team-mate Alexander Albon used the new unit in practice for last weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix but reverted to the older engine for qualifying and race day. Honda have now confirmed that Verstappen and Pierre Gasly from Red Bull’s feeder team Toro Rosso will both get fresh power units for Monza, meaning they will have to start from the back.
However, speaking in Belgium about the likelihood of an engine penalty, Verstappen says he was not concerned, due to the nature of the Monza circuit. “I think it can be all right to overtake,” he said. “Even if you start from the back I don’t think it’s a big deal. “We all know Ferrari is going to be really quick there, and if you start from the back you probably won’t catch the top four. Everything behind that I think it’s possible to catch up with.”
