Sao Paulo GP grid penalties: Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc to drop down Interlagos grid

Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc will all serve big grid penalties for engine changes at Sunday's Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

Ferrari team-mates Hamilton and Leclerc will both take 10-place demotions for the use of fifth international combustion engines this season, one more than is permitted.

And Verstappen will start at the back of the 22-car grid after taking three different fresh engine components on his Red Bull.

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The three front-runners join George Russell in taking a grid drop this weekend, although the Mercedes driver's is only five places.

Ferrari's double 10-place penalty is a boost to Mercedes' hopes of clinching the Constructors' Championship on Sunday. The Silver Arrows will become champions if they outscore their rivals by three points or more.

Verstappen, Hamilton, Russell and Leclerc are in a close fight for second place in the Drivers' Championship and are covered by just 16 points in the strandings with four races to go.

Rain is forecast for Sunday's Grand Prix, which starts at 5pm live on Sky Sports F1

More to follow…

Sky Sports F1's live Sao Paulo GP Schedule

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Saturday November 7
5pm: Sao Paulo Grand Prix Qualifying build-up
6pm: SAO PAULO GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING
8pm: Ted's Qualifying Notebook

Sunday November 8
3.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Sao Paulo GP build-up
5pm: THE SAO PAULO GRAND PRIX
7pm: Chequered Flag: Sao Paulo GP reaction
8pm: Ted's Notebook

Formula 1 is in Brazil for the final leg of the triple header with the Sao Paulo Grand Prix this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW