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Red Bull Racing driver Sebastian Vettel says the team has yet to take a decision about the possibility of a complete power unit change for this weekend's United States Formula 1 Grand Prix.
The four-time World Champion admitted that the possibility of having to use a sixth power unit this season was “very likely”.
Vettel has been on the edge of breaking the penalty-free limit of five power units for the season.
If a sixth V6 internal combustion unit needs to be installed in his RB10, Vettel would receive a 10-place penalty on the grid. If the team changes the complete power unit (V6, turbo, recovery systems and batteries), Vettel would have to start from the pit lane.
If this is the case, Red Bull Racing may simply keep Vettel out of the qualifying sessions to save mileage on the new unit and to avoid further penalties in Brazil and Abu Dhabi.
“It's to be seen, we need to confirm, but yes we have to get an extra engine at some stage this year and it's very, very likely for this weekend,” Vettel told journalists Wednesday in Austin.
The four-time World Champion admitted that the possibility of having to use a sixth power unit this season was “very likely”.
Vettel has been on the edge of breaking the penalty-free limit of five power units for the season.
If a sixth V6 internal combustion unit needs to be installed in his RB10, Vettel would receive a 10-place penalty on the grid. If the team changes the complete power unit (V6, turbo, recovery systems and batteries), Vettel would have to start from the pit lane.
If this is the case, Red Bull Racing may simply keep Vettel out of the qualifying sessions to save mileage on the new unit and to avoid further penalties in Brazil and Abu Dhabi.
“It's to be seen, we need to confirm, but yes we have to get an extra engine at some stage this year and it's very, very likely for this weekend,” Vettel told journalists Wednesday in Austin.