Lewis Hamilton is expected to receive a grid penalty at the 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix as Ferrari prepares to introduce a new power unit for the seven-time Formula 1 world champion. According to a report from La Gazzetta dello Sport, the British driver is likely to start further down the grid at Interlagos, while team-mate Charles Leclerc could face a similar penalty at the following round in Las Vegas.
The reported plan would see the two Ferrari drivers starting from different parts of the grid in the next two races, providing an additional safeguard against another direct confrontation following their controversial battle at the Mexican Grand Prix. The pair also held discussions yesterday to address what happened in Mexico.
Lewis Hamilton expected to take Ferrari engine penalty at Brazilian GP
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Ferrari intends to introduce a new power unit for Lewis Hamilton at the Brazilian Grand Prix, a decision that is expected to trigger a grid penalty. The development follows the power unit problems Lewis Hamilton experienced during the Mexican Grand Prix weekend, which had already raised concerns about the remaining engine allocation.
Charles Leclerc, meanwhile, is expected to take his own grid penalty at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, the next event on the Formula 1 calendar. Rather than having both drivers serve penalties at the same race, Ferrari appears to be planning separate power unit changes across the two weekends.
From a strategic perspective, the decision makes sense because both Interlagos and Las Vegas offer opportunities to recover positions through overtaking. Ferrari would therefore be accepting the disadvantage of starting further back at circuits where a recovery drive is more achievable.
Why Ferrari wants to avoid grid penalties in Qatar
Another important consideration behind Ferrari’s reported strategy is the Qatar Grand Prix. The characteristics of the Lusail International Circuit could make the SF-26 particularly competitive, potentially allowing Ferrari to challenge for victory.
With that possibility in mind, avoiding power unit penalties in Qatar becomes especially important. Ferrari would prefer to arrive at Lusail with both drivers free to maximise their qualifying positions rather than facing grid drops that could compromise their chances of fighting at the front.
The approach would also come after a difficult period for the team, with the tensions between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc following their Mexican Grand Prix clash adding another complication to Ferrari’s preparations for the final races.
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have already demonstrated comeback potential at Interlagos
Interlagos has previously provided the setting for remarkable recovery drives, including one by Lewis Hamilton himself. In 2021, the British driver fought his way through the field to win the Brazilian Grand Prix, demonstrating that starting further back does not necessarily eliminate the possibility of a strong result.
Max Verstappen produced another impressive comeback at the same circuit in 2025, recovering from a pit-lane start to finish third.
Those performances underline why Ferrari may consider Brazil a suitable venue for Lewis Hamilton to serve a power unit penalty. Although the exact starting position would depend on the components introduced and the resulting sanction, the team’s reported objective is to manage its engine allocation without sacrificing a potentially more favourable opportunity at the Qatar Grand Prix.
The immediate focus now turns to the 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix weekend at Interlagos, where Lewis Hamilton could face the challenge of another recovery drive if Ferrari proceeds with its planned power unit change.
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