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Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton handed further power unit punishment ahead of Sao Paulo GP

A wretched day for Lewis Hamilton as he now joins Max Verstappen at the back of the grid.

Hamilton Brazil Thu
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Lewis Hamilton has suffered a further blow to his São Paulo Grand Prix hopes after being hit with a second power unit penalty.

Hamilton went into the final practice session at Interlagos with a new internal combustion engine in his SF-26, earning a 10-place grid penalty for Sunday's race. The Scuderia also handed team-mate Charles Leclerc a new ICE.

Thirty-five minutes into the session, however, Hamilton announced over the radio that he had "smoke in the cockpit" of his car, and that he was heading back to the pits.

On pulling into his pit box, plumes of smoke emerged from various areas of the car. Hamilton did not take any further part in FP3.

On further investigation, Ferrari has decided to make further PU changes, which means the seven-time F1 champion will now join Red Bull's Max Verstappen at the back of the grid.

A Ferrari spokesperson said: "Following today’s FP3 session, the power unit fitted to car #44 was removed for further checks.

"After completing our analysis, we have decided to replace the entire power unit. Lewis will take part in qualifying but will have to start tomorrow’s race from the back of the grid.

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