Lewis Hamilton’s chances of taking the World Drivers’ Championship title in the United States Grand prix this weekend improve, as both Ferrari drivers are handed a 10 place grid penalty.
Earlier in the season, at the Italian Grand Prix, the Italian team had used their final engine. The team has opted to make some engine developments ahead of the United States Grand Prix. According to article 28.4 of the 2015 FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations, drivers are not permitted to use more than four engines:
“Should a driver use more than four of any one of the elements [the engine, the motor generator unit-kinetic, the motor generator unit-heat, the energy store, turbocharger and control electronics] during a Championship season, a grid place penalty will be imposed upon him at the first Event during which each additional element is used.”
As a result, Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Räikkönen will lose ten spots on the grid. With Mercedes clenching the World Constructors’ Championship title in Russia and with Hamilton on course to take the World Drivers’ Championship title in the United States, the decision to make changes to the engine is most likely a tactic to begin developing the 2016 power unit. Ferrari hopes to battle the Mercedes team even more next season.
