FIA Confirms Verstappen Engine Change Ahead of Miami Grand Prix
Max Verstappen will head into the Miami Grand Prix with a fresh set of engine components, as confirmed by the FIA in its latest technical bulletin. Red Bull Racing has opted for a strategic engine refresh for their reigning World Champion, updating several key power unit elements ahead of the high-profile race in Florida.
According to the official FIA document released before the Miami race weekend, Verstappen’s RB21 has been fitted with a brand-new internal combustion engine (ICE), along with a new turbocharger, fresh MGU-H and MGU-K units, and an updated exhaust system. All the changes fall within the permitted allocations for the 2025 Formula 1 season, meaning Verstappen will not face any grid penalties in Miami as a result of the updates.
Under current FIA regulations, drivers are allowed a limited number of engine component changes over the season without incurring penalties—typically four for major parts like the ICE, turbocharger, MGU-H, and MGU-K, and up to eight for exhaust systems. Verstappen’s updates remain within this allowance, signaling that Red Bull’s move is a strategic decision rather than a response to a technical failure.
The timing of the upgrade appears deliberate. The Miami International Autodrome, known for its long straights and heavy braking zones, places significant stress on engines. With the 2025 season featuring a record 24 races, Red Bull and their engine partner Honda seem to be making an early-season investment in reliability and performance, ensuring Verstappen’s machinery remains competitive through the grueling calendar ahead.
Interestingly, Verstappen isn’t the only Honda-powered driver receiving new hardware. Red Bull’s sister team, RB, has also given fresh components to Yuki Tsunoda, Liam Lawson, and reserve driver Isack Hadjar, who is stepping into a race seat for the Miami weekend. All four Honda-powered cars have been fitted with the same batch of updated parts, suggesting a coordinated push by Honda to preempt any reliability risks and maintain performance consistency across their lineup.
Other teams are making similar moves. Alpine drivers Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan have also taken new engine parts for Miami. While most of the drivers are still within their first or second usage cycle for components, concerns are already beginning to emerge. Lawson and Doohan, for instance, are now onto their second MGU-H and turbocharger units, effectively reaching halfway through their season allowance with nearly 20 races still to go. This early consumption could set the stage for future grid penalties if additional replacements become necessary later in the season.
The proactive engine management seen across the paddock underscores how critical reliability is in modern Formula 1. With competition fiercer than ever and little room for mechanical failure, teams are balancing outright performance with long-term durability. Red Bull and Honda’s decision to refresh all their engines now shows their intent to stay one step ahead of potential issues and to avoid any surprises in the mid-season stretch.
For Verstappen, the new components could prove crucial as he looks to bounce back from a challenging start to his title defense. Following a disappointing finish at the previous round, where he crossed the line in sixth place, Verstappen trails McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in the standings. The Dutchman will be determined to reignite his championship campaign with a strong showing in Miami, a venue that typically rewards powerful engines and efficient aerodynamic setups.
The decision to upgrade without taking a penalty means Verstappen can push to the limit around the Miami circuit without any handicaps, maximizing his chances of a return to the top step of the podium. In a season expected to be closely fought among several teams, every strategic move—from engine changes to tire management—could have a major impact on the championship battle.
As the Formula 1 circus heads stateside, all eyes will be on how Verstappen’s refreshed RB21 performs under the intense pressure of the Miami Grand Prix. With fresh power underneath him and a renewed focus, Verstappen looks poised to fight back hard and reassert his dominance in what is shaping up to be one of the most competitive seasons in recent memory.
The stakes are rising, and for Verstappen and Red Bull, the Miami weekend could mark a crucial turning point in their 2025 campaign.
