Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad will start Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia from the back of the grid after the team confirmed he will take a fifth power unit of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
The 19-year-old has exceeded his permitted allocation of power-unit components, triggering a grid penalty for this weekend’s race at the Sepang International Circuit. Under the FIA’s 2026 power-unit regulations, exceeding the prescribed allocation results in grid penalties when additional elements are introduced.
The penalty comes as Lindblad continues an impressive rookie campaign. He heads into Round 16 sitting 11th in the Drivers’ Championship with 37 points, having scored in 10 Grands Prix this season.
Lindblad arrives in Malaysia following another strong result in Azerbaijan, where he recovered from 15th on the grid to finish seventh and add six points to his championship tally.
The setback means the Racing Bulls driver will face a recovery drive at Sepang, a circuit returning to the Formula 1 calendar for the first time since 2017. The 5.543km circuit will host the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, with practice beginning on Friday, qualifying on Saturday and the 56-lap Grand Prix on Sunday, October 4.
