Hamilton, Verstappen, Leclerc to serve Sao Paulo GP grid penalties

Lewis Hamilton's engine penalty worsens to a back-of-the-grid start at Interlagos; Max Verstappen also at back of grid after power unit change; Hamilton is 20th, Verstappen 21st; rain forecast for race day; watch the Sao Paulo GP at 5pm on Sunday live on Sky Sports F1

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Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen will start at the back of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix grid due to engine penalties, while Charles Leclerc and George Russell carry smaller penalties into Sunday's race

While Verstappen's back-of-the-grid start due to the change of multiple engine parts was confirmed ahead of final practice at Interlagos on Saturday, Ferrari team-mates Hamilton and Leclerc had both been set to drop just 10 places from where they qualified after taking fifth international combustion engines (ICE) of the season, one more than is permitted.

But Hamilton's new engine ran into almost-immediate problems in final practice, restricting the Briton to just seven laps after smoke started emanating from the car.

That engine was removed for further checks and Ferrari confirmed ahead of qualifying that they would replace the entire power unit, triggering more penalties and a back of the grid start for Hamilton.

Hamilton will start in 20th place with Verstappen on the back row in 21st. Cadillac's Sergio Perez also took a full power-unit change and is 22nd.

Leclerc's grip drop remains at the original 10 places and he will start 14th after originally qualifying fourth in the rain-hit session.

Russell's own demotion for a new engine was confirmed on Friday, although the Mercedes driver's penalty is only five places as it is the second time his car has breached the season's ICE limits. He lines up seventh.

The Ferrari drivers' penalties are a boost to Mercedes' hopes of clinching the Constructors' Championship on Sunday. The Silver Arrows will become champions if they outscore their rivals by three points or more.

Verstappen, Hamilton, Russell and Leclerc are in a close fight for second place in the Drivers' Championship and are covered by just 16 points in the standings with four races to go.

Rain is forecast for Sunday's Grand Prix, which starts at 5pm live on Sky Sports F1 .

Confirming Verstappen's back-of-the-grid start before final practice got under way, Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies told Sky Sports : "We will have to take an engine penalty with Max. He will start from the back - a position he knows very well here after the last two years.

"He's done a few miracles in the past starting from the back here and we're sure he will do a few more this year."

Verstappen famously won in the wet at Interlagos from 17th place on the grid in 2024, while he came from the pit lane to finish third in the dry last year.

Sunday November 8 3.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Sao Paulo GP build-up 5pm: THE SAO PAULO GRAND PRIX 7pm: Chequered Flag: Sao Paulo GP reaction 8pm: Ted's Notebook

Formula 1 is in Brazil for the final leg of the triple header with the Sao Paulo Grand Prix this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW