Gabriel Bortoleto has been handed the largest grid penalty in Formula 1 history, an 80-place drop, following an investigation before the United States Grand Prix. The Audi driver was sanctioned after stewards found an issue with the fitting of new engine components.
Penalty details and component changes
Bortoleto had originally qualified in 13th place for Sunday's race, one spot behind teammate Nico Hulkenberg. He had already been carrying a 20-place grid penalty after receiving a fourth control electronics unit and a fourth energy store from Audi, with regulations allowing only three of each per season.
Ahead of the final practice session, further power unit changes were confirmed for Bortoleto's R26, including a new exhaust set, turbocharger, ICE, MGU-K and ancillary components. Each of these additions carried a 10-place penalty, with an additional five-place punishment for the control electronics and energy store fittings.
Record-breaking sanction
In total, Bortoleto has been hit with an 80-place drop since arriving in Texas. The previous record for the most places dropped was held by Jenson Button, who received a 70-place punishment in 2015 while driving for McLaren.
In a full statement, the stewards said: "Infringement: Breaches of Articles B8.2.2 (read with B8.2.3) of the FIA F1 Regulations. Decision: Drop of 60 grid positions for the next Race in which the driver participates. Reason: The penalty is imposed in accordance with Articles B8.2. 8a and B8.2.8b of the FIA F1 Regulations."
The statement continued: "The use of Energy Store (ES) and Control Electronics Unit (PU-CE) additional element(s) carries a 5 grid place penalty by virtue of Article B8.2. 8b of the FIA F1 Regulations and the use of Engine (ICE), Turbocharger (TC), Exhaust Set (EXH), MGU-K and Power Unit Ancillary Component (PU-ANC) additional elements carries a 10 grid place penalty by virtue of Article B8.2.8a of the FIA F1 Regulations. Therefore there is an accumulation of 60 places. Subject to Car 5 being classified in the results of Qualifying, Car 5 will be allocated a grid position in the Race in accordance with Article B2.5.4b.iv of the FIA F1 Regulations."
Bortoleto remains upbeat
Despite the major penalties, Bortoleto remains positive about his performance over the weekend. He told Globo: "It was one of the best laps I've done this season. I felt it was an incredible lap, and in the last corner I think I lost about three tenths, and without those three tenths lost, maybe even a top-3 or top-4 finish in Q1 would have worked."
He added: "But we knew that in Q2 it was purely about helping Nico (Hulkenberg). I wasn't going to have any laps available. I did have one lap, but with completely worn-out tires, no way to turn. I knew I was going to help him by giving him a tow, I tried my best, unfortunately he couldn't get through to Q3. But that was the objective. I felt confident in the car, I felt we were fast, I felt we had potential."
