Vasseur explains Hamilton's power unit change in Brazil

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has explained why Lewis Hamilton received a brand-new power unit at the Brazilian Grand Prix. Hamilton began Saturday's running in Sao Paulo already facing a 10-place grid penalty after the team fitted his SF-26 with a fifth internal combustion engine of the 2026 season. He pulled into the pit box with smoke pouring from his car during FP3, and the team then replaced the entire power unit.

Hamilton was subsequently handed a 65-place grid penalty but started 20th due to penalties for Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. He made up 11 places on the opening lap but dropped back as his intermediate tyres overheated, finishing ninth, a lap behind winner Lando Norris. Vasseur said the change was taken for free because it came between FP3 and qualifying, and that Ferrari wanted to avoid a further risk of a penalty later in the weekend.

Hamilton slipped to third in the Drivers' Championship, overtaken by George Russell, and is 18 points behind Verstappen. Vasseur said Ferrari's form has improved as the season has progressed.