FIA Confirms Verstappen Engine Component Changes Ahead of Bahrain Grand Prix
By Hugo Harvey
The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has officially announced that Max Verstappen, alongside three other drivers, has received engine component changes ahead of the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix. The reigning world champion will take on the Sakhir circuit with updated elements in his Red Bull power unit, a move that remains within the FIA’s regulated limits and will not attract any penalties.
A detailed technical report issued by the FIA ahead of the Bahrain race weekend confirmed that Verstappen, along with Yuki Tsunoda, Isack Hadjar, and Liam Lawson, have had new energy store (ES) components fitted to their respective cars. This represents the first of two permitted ES changes for the season. Additionally, all four drivers have received a fresh set of control electronics (CE), another component that teams are only allowed to update twice without penalty during the campaign.
While these updates may seem routine, they highlight the complexity and fragility of a modern Formula 1 power unit. A power unit is not simply an engine; it is a sophisticated hybrid system comprised of several key components. These include the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE), Turbocharger, Motor Generator Unit–Kinetic (MGU-K), Motor Generator Unit–Heat (MGU-H), Control Electronics (CE), Energy Store (ES), and the Exhaust system. Each plays a crucial role in delivering both power and efficiency on track.
In Verstappen’s case, these changes are part of a pre-emptive strategy to ensure reliability and peak performance, particularly during intense sessions like qualifying, where the power unit is pushed to its absolute limits. F1 teams commonly rotate their engine components to avoid mid-season failures that can result in costly penalties or retirements from races.
According to FIA regulations, each driver is allotted a specific number of changes per component during a season. For example, teams are allowed:
- Three ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) units
- Three Turbochargers
- Three sets of Exhausts
- Two MGU-K units
- Two Energy Store changes
- Two Control Electronics changes
Exceeding these limits means the driver risks receiving grid penalties, which could compromise race strategy and outcomes. However, Verstappen and the other three drivers are still within their permitted usage, meaning they will not face any sanctions or grid drops for the Bahrain Grand Prix.
The FIA ensures transparency and fair play by sealing each component of the power unit. This prevents any unauthorized rebuilding or tampering, ensuring that teams operate within the spirit of the regulations. The seals also help the governing body to monitor wear and confirm when legitimate replacements are required due to performance degradation or reliability concerns.
It is not uncommon for teams to begin the season with fresh components or to make early changes if there are any doubts about the reliability of initial hardware. With a long season ahead, Red Bull and the other teams are clearly prioritizing dependability and consistency from the outset.
Fans can rest assured that Verstappen’s performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix will be unaffected by these technical updates, and the reigning champion will be aiming to start the season strongly, confident in the reliability of his machinery.
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