Toro Rosso's Brendon Hartley set for grid penalties for F1 debut
Toro Rosso Formula 1 rookie Brendon Hartley is set to start his first grand prix from the back of the Austin grid due to engine penalties
STR team principal Franz Tost confirmed to Autosport that Hartley will take a complete new power unit this weekend, and that the decision was made before it was confirmed that Hartley would be making his maiden F1 start in that car, which was driven by Pierre Gasly in the last two races.
Tost added that the sister entry will take new power unit elements in Mexico next weekend, with both cars simply running out of engine mileage with which to finish the season.
Although the exact size of the grid penalty has yet to be confirmed, a complete change for Hartley should be worth 30 places, as he will be on the car's sixth V6, turbo and MGU-H, and fifth energy store and control electronics. His use of a fourth MGU-K does not earn a penalty.
Sources have indicated that Red Bull's Max Verstappen is also set to take power unit penalties this weekend.
When asked about the prospect on Thursday, Verstappen would only say: "We'll find out tomorrow.
"I'm not sure whether it's going to happen here, or in the next races. You'll hear it tomorrow."
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
Red Bull’s F1 juniors: Where are they now?
WEC Sao Paulo: Toyota dominates to defeat Porsche
Acura’s Daytona 24h hopes hit by Albuquerque stoppage
Racing Bulls suggest "continuous" roll-out of F1 2026 regulation tweaks
How every F1 2026 team has performed so far
The litmus test for Lindblad after his rapid rise to F1
Are F1's technical changes for Miami enough to ease 2026 concerns?
FIA confirms changes to 2026 F1 rules ahead of Miami GP
Wolff warns against ADUO “gamesmanship”: Only one F1 manufacturer has a problem
Why 2026 F1 rule changes involve "a scalpel, not a baseball bat"
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