Perez and Latifi to start F1’s Dutch GP from pits

With the Mexican moving onto his fourth internal combustion engine of the season, surpassing the permitted limit of three power units for the season, he has triggered a grid penalty.

Perez was expected to face a grid penalty for using too many engine components after his power unit was written off in the first-lap collision at the Hungarian Grand Prix last month.

Red Bull has decided to take the opportunity to change the ICE, turbocharger, MGU-H, MGU-K, energy store and control electronics on Perez’s car after he suffered a shock Q1 elimination on Saturday.

Perez was due to start from 16th but the complete power unit change and alterations to his car set-up means he will now be consigned to a pitlane start.

He will be joined in the pits by Nicholas Latifi after Williams opted to make changes to the front wing and nose assembly on his car, as well as taking on a new gearbox.

The Canadian suffered a huge 38G crash in qualifying on Saturday, causing the second of two red flag periods in Q2. The first was triggered by his Williams teammate George Russell, who slid off at the final corner.

It means just 18 drivers will line up on the grid to take the start for the 2021 Dutch GP, with home favourite Max Verstappen joined on the front row by championship rival Lewis Hamilton.