---
title: "Verstappen takes on fresh F1 engine, will start from back of the grid"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2021/09/24/verstappen-takes-on-fresh-engine-will-start-from-back-of-the-grid/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Hamilton Lyndon-Griffiths"
section: "F1 News"
published: "2021-09-24T12:56:07Z"
modified: "2021-09-24T13:02:10Z"
---

# Verstappen takes on fresh F1 engine, will start from back of the grid

Max Verstappen will start Sunday’s Russian Grand Prix from the back of the grid after Red Bull opted to fit a fresh Honda Formula 1 power unit.

Verstappen was braced to take a grid penalty at some point in one the remaining races after he lost one of his three engines due to crash damage caused in his accident with Lewis Hamilton at Silverstone.

The Dutch driver already entered this weekend with a three-place grid penalty hanging over him after being found predominantly to blame for his collision with Hamilton at the Italian Grand Prix.

Red Bull hinted previously it would decide to start from the rear of the grid in Russia given Sochi is a track where overtaking is possible.

On Friday just after the start of second practice, it was confirmed Red Bull had fitted a new power unit in the back of Verstappen’s RB16B.

Red Bull has changed all of the engine’s components, with Verstappen taking on a new turbocharger, MGU-H, MGU-K, energy store and control electronics, as well as a fresh exhaust.

Verstappen’s grid penalty has given Hamilton an opportunity to reclaim the lead in the drivers’ standings, coming to Russia just five points adrift of the Red Bull driver.

Mercedes holds a 100% winning record at the Sochi Autodrom, dating back to F1’s first visit to Russia in 2014.

Verstappen will be joined by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc at the back of the grid after he also took on a new engine ahead of Friday’s opening practice session.

It leaves Hamilton as the only driver among the two leading teams to have not moved to a fourth power unit, with Mercedes admitting the seven-time world champion could end the season without an engine change.