Why will Verstappen and Gasly start at the back of the grid?

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Verstappen and Gasly to Start at the Back of the Grid Due to Power Unit Changes

Max Verstappen and Pierre Gasly will begin Sunday's Italian Grand Prix from the rear of the starting grid as a consequence of fitting new power units. Both drivers are utilising Honda's latest "Spec 4" engine, which exceeds their permitted seasonal allocation. This decision means they will incur grid penalties for the race at Monza.
New Power Unit Installation

The installation of Honda's updated "Spec 4" power unit necessitates grid penalties for both Max Verstappen and Pierre Gasly. This engine represents an upgrade and its use surpasses the number of power units each driver is allowed to deploy throughout the Formula One season. Honda's F1 technical director, Toyoharu Tanabe, confirmed that while penalties are unavoidable, they anticipate strong performances from the drivers.
Strategic Penalty Placement

The choice to take these penalties at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza is a strategic one. Monza is recognised as the fastest circuit on the calendar, offering more opportunities for overtaking. This allows Red Bull to position Verstappen for a potentially stronger showing at the subsequent Singapore Grand Prix, a track where overtaking is considerably more challenging and grid position holds greater significance.
Precedent with New Power Unit

This situation is not unprecedented for drivers utilising Honda's new power unit. Verstappen's Red Bull teammate, Alexander Albon, and Toro Rosso driver Daniil Kvyat, both employed the "Spec 4" engine during the previous race weekend at Spa-Francorchamps. They too faced comparable grid penalties as a result of the power unit change.

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Why will Verstappen and Gasly start at the back of the grid?

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