Why Does Lewis Hamilton Start Ahead of Max Verstappen Despite Bigger Grid Penalty at Brazilian GP?

The 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix has an unusual starting order, with Lewis Hamilton starting ahead of Max Verstappen despite receiving a much bigger grid penalty. The Ferrari driver faces a 75-place penalty, while the Red Bull driver has a 30-place drop.

However, both will start at the back of the grid at Interlagos. The reason lies in how the FIA applies its grid penalty rules.

Why Does Lewis Hamilton Start Ahead of Max Verstappen?

The difference comes down to their qualifying positions rather than the number of penalty places they received. Hamilton qualified 11th, while Verstappen was classified 16th.

Since both drivers received penalties exceeding 15 places, they were moved to the back of the classified drivers. Their qualifying results then determined their positions.

Article B2.5.4(b)(iv) of the 2026 FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations explains this rule. It states that drivers who accumulate more than 15 grid position penalties must start behind all other classified drivers. Their relative positions are determined by their qualifying results.

As a result, Hamilton takes 20th place, while Verstappen starts 21st. Sergio Perez, who qualified 21st, takes the final position in 22nd.

This means that a 75-place penalty does not automatically put Hamilton behind a driver with a 30-place penalty. Once both cross the 15-place limit, their qualifying positions determine their order at the back of the grid.

Why Did Lewis Hamilton Receive a 75-Place Grid Penalty?

Hamilton initially received a 10-place grid penalty after Ferrari installed a fifth Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) in his car, exceeding the permitted seasonal allocation.

However, his situation became more complicated during FP3 at Interlagos. The British driver reported engine vibrations before experiencing a loss of power. Smoke also appeared inside his cockpit, forcing him to return to the garage.

Following further checks, Ferrari decided to replace the entire power unit before qualifying. The additional changes involved the ICE, turbocharger, exhaust, Energy Store, control electronics, MGU-K and power unit ancillary components.

These replacements resulted in another 65-place penalty, taking his total to 75 places. Despite the changes, Hamilton participated in qualifying to check that the replacement power unit was working correctly.

Why Did Max Verstappen Receive a 30-Place Penalty?

Verstappen also faced power unit changes ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix. Red Bull installed a fifth ICE, fifth turbocharger and fifth exhaust set in his car, exceeding the permitted seasonal allocation for all three components.

Each additional component resulted in a 10-place grid penalty, bringing his total to 30 places. Since this exceeded the 15-place threshold, the Dutchman had to start at the back of the grid.

Verstappen did not set a timed lap in Q2, knowing that his penalty would already move him towards the back. He was classified 16th, which placed him behind Hamilton when the FIA applied the penalties.

How Does the F1 Grid Penalty System Work?

Formula 1 has strict limits on how many power unit components each driver can use during a season. When a team exceeds these allocations, its driver receives a grid penalty.

Under the 2026 regulations, the first time a component allocation is exceeded, the driver receives a 10-place penalty. Any further excess use of the same component carries a five-place penalty. When multiple components are changed at the same event, the penalties are added together.

The FIA applies the following rules:

1. Drivers with penalties of 15 places or fewer receive adjusted positions based on their qualifying results.
2. Drivers with penalties exceeding 15 places move behind all other classified drivers.
3. If multiple drivers receive penalties exceeding 15 places, their qualifying positions determine their starting order.

This is why the size of Hamilton’s penalty does not put him behind Verstappen.

Which Other Drivers Received Grid Penalties at the Brazilian GP?

Apart from Hamilton and Verstappen, three other drivers received grid penalties for power unit changes at Interlagos.

• Sergio Perez – 30 places: The Cadillac driver received penalties for using additional ICE, turbocharger and MGU-K components. He starts on the 22nd.
• Charles Leclerc – 10 places: The Ferrari driver received a penalty for using an additional ICE. He drops from fourth to 14th.
• George Russell – 5 places: The Mercedes driver received a penalty for another ICE allocation breach. He drops from second to seventh.

These penalties also promoted Liam Lawson to third and Nico Hulkenberg to fourth on the starting grid.

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