Source: Official Team Post via X
Gabriel Bortoleto Hit with 80-Place Grid Penalty for US Grand Prix
Gabriel Bortoleto will start from the back of the grid at the United States Grand Prix after racking up an 80-place penalty for new engine components. The Audi driver had initially qualified 13th, but a series of changes resulted in the hefty penalty.
In what might be the most severe grid penalty in recent memory, Gabriel Bortoleto will start the United States Grand Prix from the back of the grid after incurring an 80-place penalty. This came after Audi decided to replace a slew of components on his car. Bortoleto had originally qualified 13th, just behind his Audi teammate Nico Hulkenberg.
The weekend began with Bortoleto already facing a 20-place penalty due to a fourth Control Electronics unit and a fourth Energy Store, both of which exceed the season's limit of three. As if that wasn't enough, Audi then fitted his R26 with a new internal combustion engine, turbocharger, and exhaust, which were within his allocation but still added to his woes.
According to FIA rules, any penalty exceeding 15 places results in a start from the back, so Audi decided to go all-in. On Saturday, they replaced yet another Control Electronics unit and Energy Store, each carrying a five-place penalty. The new ICE, turbocharger, exhaust, MGU-K, and Power Unit Ancillary Component came with 10-place penalties each, culminating in the 80-place penalty.
The FIA stewards' report detailed the components used and the specific infringements of Articles B8.2.2 and B8.2.3 of the FIA F1 Regulations. The penalties were in accordance with Articles B8.2.8a and B8.2.8b, which assign five and ten grid place penalties for the respective components used.
Ultimately, Bortoleto's situation epitomizes the complexities of modern F1 regulations, where a strategic component swap can lead to a comically high grid penalty. As a result, he will watch the start lights from the back of the pack.