Breaking news: Confirms Engine Changes for Verstappen and Others Ahead of….readmore
The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has officially confirmed that Max Verstappen’s Red Bull will undergo engine component changes ahead of the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix. The update comes as part of a routine technical report issued by the governing body ahead of the season-opening race.
According to the report, Verstappen, along with Yuki Tsunoda (RB), Isack Hadjar, and Liam Lawson (both of Racing Bulls), will compete in Bahrain with updated power unit elements. All four drivers have been fitted with a new energy store (ES) and a new set of control electronics (CE) on their respective cars.
Each Formula 1 driver is permitted to use two energy stores and two sets of control electronics over the course of the season without facing penalties. The changes made for the Bahrain Grand Prix represent the first of those two allowances for Verstappen, Tsunoda, Hadjar, and Lawson. At this stage, all component swaps fall within the legal limits defined by the FIA’s 2025 technical regulations.
As a result, Verstappen will not face any penalties or grid drops for these changes. The reigning world champion can proceed through the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend without any restrictions related to the updates made on his Red Bull RB20.
This early-season engine update is not uncommon in modern Formula 1, where teams often choose to fit fresh components at the start of the season to maximize performance and reliability. The energy store and control electronics play a crucial role in the hybrid systems that power today’s F1 cars, and keeping these components in peak condition is essential for both performance and efficiency.
For the Racing Bulls team, the inclusion of both Hadjar and Lawson in the update list suggests a coordinated approach to ensure optimal reliability across the board. Similarly, Yuki Tsunoda’s changes reflect the team’s broader strategy as they begin a new campaign.
All eyes will be on Verstappen this weekend as he begins his title defense in Bahrain. With no technical penalties to hinder his progress, the Dutchman is expected to be among the front-runners as the lights go out on the 2025 Formula 1 season.
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