FIA confirms 65-place Lewis Hamilton grid penalty at Brazilian Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton has had a few run ins with the FIA over the course of his F1 career
The FIA has confirmed that Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton will serve a 65-place grid penalty for today’s Brazilian Grand Prix.
It comes after Ferrari decided to change Hamilton’s engine for a second time at Interlagos on Saturday.
FIA confirms increased Lewis Hamilton grid penalty at Brazilian Grand Prix
Hamilton began Saturday in Brazil facing a 10-place grid penalty, along with Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc, after the team opted to give both drivers a fifth internal combustion engine of the F1 2026 season.
However, Hamilton reported smoke from the cockpit during FP3, forcing him to return to the pits before Ferrari opted for a complete engine change ahead of qualifying.
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A statement issued to PlanetF1.com by Ferrari said: “Following today’s FP3 session, the power unit fitted to car #44 was removed for further checks.
“After completing our analysis, we have decided to replace the entire power unit.
“Lewis will take part in qualifying but will have to start tomorrow’s race from the back of the grid.”
The FIA stewards have confirmed Hamilton’s increased grid penalty, with the seven-time world champion changing every element of his power unit.
The combined changes add up to a 65-place grid drop.
A change to the rules over recent years means that drivers who accumulate grid penalties worth more than 15 places must automatically start from the back of the grid.
The stewards’ report read: “The penalty is imposed in accordance with Article B8.2.8 of the FIA F1 Regulations.
“In this case, the use of the ICE additional element carries a 5 grid place penalty by virtue of Article B8.2.8b of the FIA F1 Regulations and the use of the TC (tubrocharger), EXH (exhaust), ES (energy story), PU-CE (power unit control electronics), MGU-K and PU-ANC (power unit ancillary components) additional elements carries a 10 grid place penalty by virtue of Article B8.2.8a of the FIA F1 Regulations.
“Therefore there is an accumulation of 65 places in addition to the 10 grid places (Document 37).
“Subject to Car 44 being classified in the results of Qualifying, Car 44 will be allocated a grid position in the Race in accordance with Article B2.5.4b.iv of the FIA F1 Regulations.”
Hamilton will be joined at the back of the grid by Red Bull driver Max Verstappen and Cadillac’s Sergio Perez, who accumulated penalties worth 30 grid positions in Brazil.
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Hamilton qualified 11th on the road in a rain-affected qualifying session at Interlagos, with Verstappen electing against setting a time in Q2 given his looming grid drop.
Perez qualified 21st as Lando Norris, the McLaren driver and 2025 world champion, set pole position.
Mercedes can seal the 2026 constructors’ championship in Brazil if it outscores Ferrari by three points or more.
Kimi Antonelli and George Russell will start second and seventh respectively, with Leclerc and Hamilton in 14th and 20th subject to further penalties before the race start.
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