Historical record of grid penalties: Bortoleto is penalized 80 positions!

During the hybrid era we have seen many times drivers accumulate penalties on the starting grid. Looking back, you surely remember the countless positions that the McLaren-Honda of Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button and Stoffel Vandoorne. In the worst moments it was even common. However, years later, an even heavier grid penalty has been seen.

And it is that Gabriel Bortoleto He took advantage of the United States GP to change several parts of his power unit and accumulates a total of 80 penalty positions for this Sunday’s race. This is because Audi decided to change more components of its engine than previously announced.

The brand with the four rings already announced that it was going to change the battery in its car, in addition to the control electronics. These modifications already implied starting from the back of the grid because they were 20 penalty positions.

However, the Brazilian was hit another 60 positions more penalty after Audi took the opportunity to modify even more components of its power unit. The German team rIt replaced the internal combustion engine, turbocharger, exhaust system, energy storage, control electronics, MGU-K and auxiliary power unit.

Bortoleto was not the only one to be penalized on the grid for changing parts of his engines. Colapinto also started the weekend knowing that he was going to fall 10 positions on the grid for modifying his Mercedes engine in the Alpine. The Argentinian did not advance to Q3 and will start from the penultimate place. On the other hand, Arvin Lindblad also had a five-position suspensionbut in the case of the Briton he did get into Q3 and will start 14th.