FIA Confirms Engine Component Changes for Verstappen and … Ahead of Bahrain GP…Read more
The FIA has announced that Max Verstappen’s Red Bull, along with the RB21 of Yuki Tsunoda and the Racing Bulls cars of Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson, have all received updates to their power unit components ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix.
According to the official technical delegate’s report, all four drivers have been fitted with a new energy store (ES) their first of the two permitted for the 2025 season. They have also installed new control electronics (CE), marking the first use of their two allocated CE changes for the year.
As long as they remain within the FIA’s allowed limits, these changes will not result in any penalties. Verstappen’s modifications, in particular, are fully compliant and won’t affect his standings or results during the Bahrain GP weekend.
Why Are Engine Component Changes Necessary in F1?
Formula 1 power units are complex systems made up of several components, including the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE), Turbocharger, Motor Generator Unit – Kinetic (MGU-K), Motor Generator Unit – Heat (MGU-H), Control Electronics (CE), Energy Store (ES), and the Exhaust.
Each of these parts is sealed by the FIA to prevent unauthorized modifications or replacements. However, over time, wear and tears especially during intense sessions like qualifying scan lead to the need for replacements.
To manage reliability while maintaining fairness, the FIA permits a limited number of component changes per driver each season without incurring grid penalties. Specifically, each driver is allowed:
2 Energy Stores (ES)
2 Control Electronics (CE)
3 Internal Combustion Engines (ICE)
3 Turbochargers
3 Exhaust sets
2 MGU-K units
If a driver exceeds these limits for any component, they risk receiving a grid penalty. For now, Verstappen, Tsunoda, Hadjar, and Lawson remain within their allowances and can continue the weekend without consequences.
