FIA Confirms Multiple Pit Lane Starts at São Paulo GP

The FIA confirms multiple pit-lane starts for the 2025 São Paulo Grand Prix at Interlagos, with Max Verstappen among them after Red Bull fits a new power unit.

Verstappen fails to escape Q1 and is due to start 16th, prompting Red Bull to replace all power unit elements and trigger a mandatory pit-lane start under parc fermé regulations.

It is only the second time in his 228 Formula 1 starts that Verstappen misses the cut on pace, with previous setbacks usually linked to power unit complications.

Team principal Laurent Mekies says Red Bull took set-up risks on the RB21 that failed, prompting changes to the ICE, turbo, MGU-H, MGU-K, energy store, control electronics, and exhaust.

Starting from the pit lane permits set-up revisions otherwise frozen by parc fermé, offering Verstappen a recovery path if Red Bull converts fresh hardware into sustained race pace.

Haas driver Esteban Ocon also starts from the pit lane after installing a fifth internal combustion engine, exceeding the season’s limit of four.

Ocon qualifies 17th and slots behind Verstappen in the pit-lane queue. The FIA’s decision reflects changes made under parc fermé and the cumulative component usage beyond allocations.

Championship context intensifies the stakes. Lando Norris leads with 365 points, Oscar Piastri holds 356, and Verstappen sits third on 326, raising the importance of damage limitation from the back.

Interlagos spans 71 laps and typically rewards strong traction and downforce. Safety cars and variable winds can reshape strategies, making tyre offset and clear air pivotal for recovery drives.

Red Bull’s approach trades grid position for reliability headroom and performance potential. Avoiding Turn 1 congestion may help, but tyre life and overtaking execution will define the climb.

For Haas, Ocon’s fresh ICE should stabilise performance and reduce mileage risk. Track position, however, remains the primary hurdle given the midfield’s straight-line strengths on the run to Turn 4.

The FIA’s confirmation sets a clear framework for a high-variance race. Verstappen targets points from the pit lane, while McLaren defends its lead as the season approaches its climax.

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Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.