Red Bull have made penalty-free power unit changes to Max Verstappen's car after he suffered technical issues in qualifying at the Hungaroring. Verstappen was unable to set a representative lap time in the Q3 phase after a mistake on his first run and a loss of power on his second, leaving him 10th. Ahead of the race, Verstappen has taken on a new engine, turbocharger, MGU-H, MGU-K and exhaust system, all within his allocation for the season. These changes have been mirrored for Verstappen's teammate, Sergio Perez, with the Mexican qualifying only 11th after a scruffy session. It means Verstappen and Perez are now on the brink of PU-related penalties, with three engines, MGU-Hs and MGU-Ks used so far this year.
Gasly takes a penalty for changes of his own
Meanwhile, AlphaTauri have taken the opportunity to fit a host of new power unit elements to Pierre Gasly's car, with these triggering penalties. Gasly endured a difficult qualifying session en route to 19th position, with his best lap time in the opening Q1 phase deleted for exceeding track limits. He will run a new engine, turbocharger, MGU-H, MGU-K, energy store and control electronics in the race, all exceeding his allowance for the campaign. While Red Bull's changes were replaced with the approval of FIA Technical Delegate Jo Bauer following a written request, Gasly's were not. Verstappen and Perez will remain 10th and 11th on the grid respectively, but Gasly is forced to start Sunday's race from the pit lane.
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