Spanish GP roundup: FIA penalties, Honda change, Grosjean apology

The FIA has confirmed two penalties from the Spanish Grand Prix, Honda has made a leadership change in its F1 engine program, and Romain Grosjean has apologized to Zak Brown after a misunderstanding over Oscar Piastri. Here’s the latest from the paddock.

Why it matters:

These post-race developments touch on driver conduct, power unit leadership, and team relations as the 2026 season progresses. The FIA’s actions reinforce the limits of defensive driving, while Honda’s transition signals a strategic shift for Aston Martin’s engine project.

The details:

• FIA sanctions: Gabriel Bortoleto was warned for moving under braking, and Racing Bulls was fined €200 after Yuki Tsunoda’s pit-lane speeding.
• Honda leadership: Yoichiro Fukao has been promoted to large project leader, replacing Tetsushi Kakuda in a planned transition after the Madrid race.
• Grosjean apology: Romain Grosjean has apologized to Zak Brown, clarifying his earlier comments about McLaren’s CEO and Oscar Piastri.

The big picture:

The roundup also covers Lando Norris’s Spanish GP misfortune. Data suggests McLaren’s logic for pitting Norris was sound, but the VSC timing and a slow stop cost him a likely win. Meanwhile, Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are set to appear in a Pirelli tyre test at Imola this week.

What's next:

With the Spanish GP behind, the F1 circus moves toward Imola for a test that could also serve as a preview for a potential season-ending race. Honda’s new leadership will now oversee the continued development of Aston Martin’s power unit.