Lindblad and Colapinto Also Hit With Grid Penalties in Sepang — FIA Declares Heat Hazard for the Race
With Hadjar already handed a five-place grid penalty in Sepang, the FIA has confirmed sanctions for two more drivers ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. Racing Bulls’ Arvid Lindblad will start from the back of the grid after exceeding his power unit component allocations — a fifth internal combustion engine, fifth turbocharger and fifth exhaust set. Alpine’s Franco Colapinto picks up an additional ten places (fifteen in total), having already been carrying a five-place penalty from his Baku collision with Gasly and Norris — now compounded by a fifth ICE of his own.
Separately, the FIA has officially declared a heat hazard for the race after forecasts showed a Heat Index above 31°C for Sunday. Under Article B1.5.10 of the 2026 Sporting Regulations, teams must fit a functioning Driver Cooling System — or accept a five-kilogram ballast penalty instead. The rule was introduced after severe heat exhaustion cases at the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix. Sepang’s 5.543km layout, with its long straights and heavy braking zones, is shaping up to be one of the most physically demanding tests of the season.
Source: Formula1.com, Sky Sports, RacingNews365
