Why Lewis Hamilton is starting the Brazil GP ahead of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, even with a bigger penalty
Lewis Hamilton will start the Brazilian Grand Prix in 20th place after receiving a 65-place grid penalty for changing his power unit — even though the two drivers behind him, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, got smaller penalties.
Hamilton already knew on Saturday that he’d get a 10-place drop for using his fifth Internal Combustion Engine (ICE), which is one more than allowed. But after he noticed an engine problem during practice, Ferrari decided to replace his whole power unit.
Hamilton still took part in qualifying and made it through the first round alongside Verstappen, who accepted a 30-place grid penalty for using extra power unit parts on his Red Bull. When the starting order was released, Hamilton was ahead of Verstappen and Perez, who also had penalties.
This happened because the FIA’s way of working out grid penalties isn’t as simple as just adding the penalty spots to each driver’s finishing place in qualifying.
Since Hamilton chose to run in Q2 while Verstappen didn’t, and Perez finished 21st in Q1, the FIA gave Hamilton priority when deciding the final grid.
The rules say that drivers with penalties of 15 places or less get a temporary spot based on their qualifying position plus penalties. For example, Mercedes’ George Russell qualified second but will start seventh after a five-place penalty.
But for drivers with more than 15 places of penalties, like Hamilton, they are placed at the back of the grid. Because there aren’t enough spots to add all their penalties, their starting order depends on their qualifying results.
According to the FIA Sporting Regulations: “Drivers with more than 15 cumulative unserved grid penalties will start behind all others, with their order based on qualifying.”
While starting near the back might not always help, Brazil’s expected tricky weather could make a difference. Verstappen started 17th in 2024 but gained six spots on the first lap and won the race.
If conditions are tough, Hamilton could choose to start from the pit lane instead of the grid—and Ferrari would have to agree. But after qualifying, Hamilton didn’t hint that he planned to do this.
“I’m trying to overtake the cars in front,” he said. “It’s going to be tricky with the weather, but I love racing in the rain. I treated qualifying as a chance to test the engine and the car.”
“I love qualifying in the wet. It’s such an amazing track to race in those conditions. I wish I could’ve stayed out longer and battled with everyone.”