Sergio Pérez penalized for engine change at Monza

During Q1, Sergio Pérez had to stop after the first chicane due to a technical problem. Even though the details of the issue have not yet been communicated, the team already knows they will have to install a new engine before the start of the Italian Grand Prix.

Already a victim of a technical problem with the Phase 3 engine in Belgium and forced to start from the pits, Pérez reverted to Phase 2, which had been installed during the Canadian Grand Prix.

Despite the number of kilometers on the engine, the team is confident in being able to manage with it until the end of the season. Moreover, they will be able to juggle with Phase 3 in case of a problem with Phase 2.

« If we ever move to phase 3, it will be a compromise between more performance and penalties. But let’s say, heaven forbid, if we have an accident or a problem during Q1 and we are last, then we could introduce Phase 3, » declares Otmar Szafnauer, CEO and team director of Racing Point.

The team has thus decided to use a new Phase 2 hybrid turbo unit in the morning, which will result in only a grid penalty and give Sergio Pérez the chance to gain some places during the first braking.

I think we are going to start a Phase 2, a new one. I think we will start ahead of [Max] Verstappen because he took a new power unit and we outqualified him. So we will start 19th and we’ll see how it goes, added Otmar Szafnauer.

From our special correspondent in Italy.