Sebastian Vettel looks likely to land a ten-place grid penalty for the United States Grand Prix after team principal Christian Horner admitted his current unit is approaching the end of its life.
The German is currently on his fifth and final unit. Any subsequent unit brings with it a ten-place drop, and any changes after that result in a further five-places.
“We have to look after what has happened here but I think the reality is that Sebastian will take a sixth engine in Austin because it is inevitable he is going to have to use it,” said Horner.
“I do not think this engine can really go too much further.”
Vettel suggested that he might not even run in qualifying for the race in three weeks time because he would likely start outside the top 15 with Mercedes and Williams showing strong form.
