The grid for the Brazilian Grand Prix was made last-minute changes that benefited Argentine driver Franco Colapinto and his Alpine.
Dutchman Max Verstappen, who finished 16th in the standings, will not take to the grid as Red Bull makes adjustments to his car and will start from the pits, allowing the Argentine driver to move up one place. The Austrian team’s decision to make changes to the car outside of the parc fermé regime triggered an automatic sanction, with the Dutchman forced to start from the pit lane.
Frenchman Esteban Ocon, who drives a Haas, is also facing the same sanction and will have to start from the pit lane after adjusting his car for the race without permission from the stewards.
Colapinto will start the 14-hour race at Interlagos in 16th place, improving on his 18th place he achieved yesterday.
Alpine pilots and representatives therefore try to take advantage of this move at the start and during competitions, usually on circuits where overtaking options, changes in strategy and fluctuating conditions occur.