Harsh F1 grid penalties given as drivers prepare for a challenging US Grand Prix
This weekend’s US Grand Prix is set to be a tough test for the F1 drivers, as the fast and bumpy Austin track is tough on tyres and gives everyone a rough ride in Texas. On top of that, some drivers have even more to worry about with grid penalties handed out for engine changes that aren’t allowed by the rules.
Teams can only swap certain parts a limited number of times during the season to keep costs down and be more eco-friendly. We’ll take a look at which drivers have been hit with penalties and how it might affect their race chances this weekend.
Before this season, many doubted Audi could compete after making its F1 hybrid power unit for the first time. But the German team has been quicker and more reliable than expected, though they’ve still faced some growing pains.
Audi’s young Brazilian driver Gabriel Bortoleto is 15th in the standings with 10 points but will have to drop 20 places on the grid this weekend, meaning he’ll likely start at the back. He’s already used his fourth electronics unit and engine store—both over the allowed three—leading to the big penalty. He also switched his internal combustion engine, exhaust, power unit parts, and turbocharger but those are still within the allowed limits.
“It feels like we’ve been doing well in qualifying, but the races haven’t gone our way,” said Bortoleto, who hasn’t scored points in eight races. “It’s just about putting everything together—the speed has been there.”
Audi’s team sits eighth in the standings, just seven points behind rivals Haas. Bortoleto will likely need a smart race strategy to score points, especially as tyre wear is expected to be high.
Meanwhile, Alpine has had a decent 2026 season so far, locked in a fight for fifth place with Racing Bulls. But their chances took a hit in Baku when Franco Colapinto caused a crash on a restart that took out his teammate Pierre Gasly and McLaren’s Lando Norris, losing them vital points.
Alpine hasn’t scored any points in the last two races and hopes to bounce back in Austin. However, Colapinto also faces a 10-place grid penalty after using his fourth electronics unit of the year.
“We haven’t done many qualifying simulations,” Colapinto said after practice. “We’re focusing on the race and trying to handle tyre wear better. The start hasn’t been bad, and the race pace looks okay, but we’re still a bit behind others.”
One of this year’s rising stars is Arvid Lindblad, who has helped Racing Bulls in their battle for fifth in the constructors’ championship. He’s scored points in four of the last five races but will face a tougher challenge in Austin due to a five-place penalty for swapping his internal combustion engine too many times. The rules allow four changes, with penalties increasing after that.
Lindblad is optimistic about the wide and hilly layout of the Austin track, saying, “The uphill section lets you brake late, and the first corner is super wide with lots of passing chances. I saw that you can fit 14 cars side-by-side there, which should make for exciting racing.”