Max Verstappen and George Russell will need to be extra careful for the rest of the 2026 Formula 1 season. Both have reached the limit of certain components of their power units, and any new change could result in a grid penalty.
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Verstappen received a third MGU-K in his RB22 during this weekend’s Dutch GP, reaching the maximum allowed by the regulations. The component is part of the hybrid system of the power unit and recovers energy during braking.
The four-time world champion had already used two MGU-K units in the first half of the season, as did Isack Hadjar, who is not participating in the Zandvoort round. With the new replacement, Verstappen reached the limit of three components allowed by the rules, making any new change subject to a grid penalty.
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Russell also reached the limit of another component. The Mercedes driver had a fourth exhaust system installed on his W17 in the Netherlands, reaching the maximum amount allowed by the regulations, which means that a new replacement before the end of the season will inevitably result in a grid penalty.
Ferrari and Arvid Lindblad from Racing Bulls also used new exhaust systems in Zandvoort. Oscar Piastri from McLaren, in turn, was the only other driver to receive a new MGU-K at the event, but none of the drivers involved in these changes is currently at risk of a grid penalty.
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