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Gabriel Bortoleto has been handed the biggest-ever grid penalty in Formula One history following a stewards’ investigation after the United States Grand Prix. It comes after the Brazilian accumulated the massive penalty after taking on new engine components.
Bortoleto had initially qualified in 13th position for Sunday’s race, just behind Audi team-mate Nico Hulkenberg. He had entered qualifying with a 20-place grid penalty after Audi fitted his R26 with a fourth Control Electronics unit and a fourth Energy Store. Regulations state only three are allowed for the season.
Ahead of final practice, it was confirmed that even more PU changes were being fitted for Bortoleto's Audi. They include a new ICE, turbocharger, exhaust set, MGU-K and power unit ancillary component - all costing 10 places each.
Meanwhile, there is another five-place penalty each for another energy store and control electronics fitting. It means Bortoleto has racked up a stunning 80-place penalty since arriving in Texas for the US GP. Jenson Button previously held the record, having been given a 70-place grid penalty in 2015 for McLaren.
The full note from the stewards read: “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 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.”
Despite his setback, Bortoleto is still pleased with his weekend work. Speaking to Globo earlier this weekend, he said: “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.
“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.”
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