Monza is seen as a prime opportunity to introduce new power units and impose grid penalty, as its long straights will make moving up the field much easier than at the next round in Singapore and Japan. As such, Verstappen will add a fresh fifth ICE to his pool while having a minimal bump. As widely expected, Verstappen’s teammate Perez has also fitted a new V6 engine. As this is Perez’s first time over the three ICE limit, he will receive a 10 seat penalty. Perez has also taken his fourth gear, which is still within limits. It was initially revealed on Friday that Ferrari driver Sainz would get a new power store, MGU-K and gearbox, which would cost him 25 grid places. Ahead of FP2, Sainz also got new control electronics, which resulted in a back-to-the-grid start for the Spaniard. Carlos SainzFerrari Photo: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images Either way, Sainz will be joined at the back by Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, who has also picked up a fourth power unit of the season, it was announced on Thursday. Yuki Tsunoda will also start at the back of the grid. The AlphaTauri driver was handed a 10-place grid penalty for his fifth reprimand of the season at Zandvoort last week, where he was penalized for driving into the pits with his seatbelt unfastened after stopping on track. With Tsunoda taking a penalty anyway, AlphaTauri took the opportunity to give him a new power unit. Tsunoda’s day was made worse when he faced a three-place penalty for failing to slow down sufficiently for yellow flags in GP 2, caused by Mick Schumacher’s stricken Haas. The Japanese driver also received two penalty points, taking his total to eight in the last 12 months. Finally, Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas also turned the wheel of F1 fortunes and dropped 15 places to get a new ICE, turbocharger and MGU-H from Ferrari. With his direct rivals taking penalties, Charles Leclerc’s chances of winning his second Italian Grand Prix at the home of Ferrari were boosted, although penalties for Sainz, Perez and Hamilton gave Verstappen an easier path to the front. Read also:
