Norris and Fittipaldi start at the back due to grid-penalties

F1 News

6 December 2020 at 14:47
Last update 6 December 2020 at 15:55
  • GPblog.com

Lando Norris will start the Sakhir Grand Prix from the back. His McLaren is equipped with a new engine, which resulted in a grid-penalty. Pietro Fittipaldi also got a grid-penalty.

Engine replacement

Norris' car has been fitted with a new internal combustion engine and turbocharger, exceeding the maximum of three replacements in a season. The parts would have been replaced as a precaution after Renault saw a problem on Saturday.

Norris is not the only driver who has had his engine tinkered, even Pietro Fittipaldi's Haas has had his parts replaced, which also gives him a grid-penalty.

Little pain of punishment

For both drivers, however, the penalties do not hurt very much. Fittipaldi would start at the back anyway and Norris could only qualify in P15. Norris will be 19th on the grid, Fittipaldi 20th.