Lewis Hamilton has been hit with a five-place grid penalty for an engine change at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
The Mercedes driver’s distant hopes of catching Max Verstappen took another blow after being penalised by the governing body.
Already 19 points behind Verstappen, it comes after Hamilton admitted Mercedes were some way off matching Red Bull for speed following the recent Mexico City GP.
Hamilton will be demoted five places for Sunday’s race at Interlagos after taking on his fifth Mercedes engine of the season.
The British driver will be given the punishment following the conclusion of Saturday’s sprint race.
“Here in Interlagos, it has been confirmed that the defending champion will indeed take his fifth ICE of the season, a decision by the Silver Arrows that will drop him five grid places for Sunday’s race – after the F1 Sprint on Saturday evening,” read a statement on F1’s official website.
The Brazilian Grand Prix is scheduled to take place on Sunday November 14, 2021 at the Interlagos Circuit.
Qualifying is currently underway and the sprint session is scheduled for 19.00pm GMT on Saturday 13 November.
