Penalties gift Verstappen engine upgrade for US GP

Max Verstappen is to take a final engine upgrade before Red Bull teammate Daniel Ricciardo after taking updates for his Renault Formula 1 power unit ahead of Sunday's United States Grand Prix.

Verstappen qualified sixth at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas on Saturday, but the 20-year-old has endured a fairly miserable weekend so far after penalties for the engine changes and a performance in qualifying that he said made him "really angry with [himself]."

Verstappen has been plagued by persistent engine issues including early or first lap retirements through this season that have seen Red Bull complete the lowest number of laps of any team this year.

The Renault-powered team have consequently opted to take the final engine upgrade of the year while replacing Verstappen's faulty components. With a 15-place grid penalty, having qualified in sixth, Verstappen will still start the Grand Prix in 16th place, behind P17 qualifier Lance Stroll, after penalties for other drivers having pushed the two forwards.

Regarding the new upgrade, Verstappen said "I don't feel a massive difference yet. If I did, I would tell you."

Asked how he felt to have an upgraded engine compared to his teammate for the final four races, Verstappen said: "He will get it as well."

However, in order for Ricciardo to receive the same update, the Australian would have to take similar grid penalties - and Verstappen conceded that it depended on Renault's supply, saying: "We’ll see. If they get the parts." 

However he did express a vote of confidence in his teammate for today's race, with Ricciardo lining up fourth on the grid.

"I’m sure Daniel can do it," Verstappen said. "I'm in the back, so..."