Ferrari's Vettel and Raikkonen move closer to F1 grid penalties
Ferrari drivers Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen have edged closer to Formula 1 grid penalties after taking their third new turbochargers of the season in Russia
Drivers are limited to four components of each engine element for the season, with grid penalties handed out if they exceed that allocation.
This year, regulations have also been tweaked to prevent drivers from stockpiling engine components for the season to avoid penalties by making multiple changes on a single race weekend.
Ferrari's change comes after Raikkonen stopped out on track in first practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix a fortnight ago, with the team subsequently changing his turbo, MGU-H and internal combustion engine.
The team indicated in a statement it was relaxed about its turbo count at this stage of the season.
"Replacing a turbo, or any other component, does not necessarily mean that you're scrapping the previous one, even more so when you are allowed 'free' updates, as the regs stipulate this year.
"So as long as you don't use more than four elements for each designed PU component, you're basically free to do [swaps] at your leisure.
"What we did sits within this criteria of rotation."
Customer teams Sauber and Haas have also fitted new turbos to both their cars, with Marcus Ericsson, Pascal Wehrlein and Kevin Magnussen taking their second and Romain Grosjean his third.
Stoffel Vandoorne is the driver closest to receiving a grid penalty after the FIA confirmed he would take his fourth turbo and MGU-H of the season.
Honda has introduced a reliability update for this weekend's Russian Grand Prix following a series of MGU-H problems in Bahrain.
Share Or Save This Story
Krack: Aston Martin F1 team no longer in “no-man’s land”
Gasly rues costly floor damage from Ocon contact in F1 Japanese GP
How an F1 underachiever became a Japanese political player
What F1 history tells us about three-way title deciders
On this day: Raikkonen’s Suzuka masterclass
The contrasting fortunes of F1's big-name moves to Ferrari
How F1 2026 has been a season of two halves for Ferrari so far
Ferrari and Peugeot start testing updated hypercars for WEC 2027
Why Hungarian GP pole position was an ‘overachievement" for Norris – and Ferrari still has a better car
How Aprilia's world championship juggernaut hit its straps
Why the Hungarian GP was what every F1 race in 2026 should have been
McLaren leaves Mercedes impressed after dominant Hungary win
Ogier’s co-driver ready to “honour” seat after last minute WRC call up
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments