Could this be a turning point in the championship? Hamilton receives penalty for engine change

Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz or Lewis Hamilton. These drivers are not the only ones who have already decided to change their engines this season. The former was hit in Sochi and now Hamilton is being penalised for changing components. So where will he start for the Turkish Grand Prix?

It’s a very simple rule. Each driver has a certain amount of components per season, and if they exceed that limit, they will receive a penalty. For example, a drop of ten places at the start.

This is not uncommon and usually after halfway through the season the penalties for drivers start to multiply. And not even Hamilton can avoid it. But the question arises, why Verstappen in Russia started from the very tail of the starting field, while Hamilton will lose “only” 10 places?

The answer is actually simple, the Dutch driver changed several components at once in the previous race (the power unit consists of four main parts – the combustion engine, MGU-H, MGU-K and turbo – ed.).

Whereas Mercedes opted to replace only the combustion engine, so Hamilton is not doomed to start from last place.

It is these worries that Red Bull, led by Verstappen, no longer have to deal with at all. And, it’s worth adding, they haven’t suffered significantly. Thanks to a heart attack finish in Russia, Verstappen also made a sensational run for second place despite his starting position.

So, to answer the question in the headline sufficiently, could this really be a turning point in the drivers’ championship? It’s really hard to say.

There is, however, one point to bounce back from. Istanbul Park is certainly not that difficult a track in terms of overtaking. Certainly compared to the city circuit in Sochi.

It should also be noted that Hamilton dominated both opening free practice sessions in Turkey and he certainly doesn’t lack speed. So if he can set the fastest time in Saturday’s qualifying, he will be starting from the middle of the field.

On the other hand, it’s relatively close to the first corner at the Istanbul circuit and we probably can’t expect any rocketing progress. Plus, it’s Formula 1, so anything can happen.

Carlos Sainz also received a penalty in the form of a drop in places at the start. However, the Spanish driver in Ferrari colours has changed his entire power unit and will have to start from last place.

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