Grid penalties
Both Max Verstappen and rival Charles Leclerc have to catch up in Belgium. At the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, the two start at the back due to the exchange of engine parts.
The numbers 1 and 2 in the Formula 1 World Championship will not start from the front of the field at the Belgian Grand Prix. Both Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc receive a grid penalty for changing engine parts. It goes according to The Telegraphjournalist Erik van Haren for a change of both the engine and the gearbox. Both drivers were already at the maximum number of engines and gearboxes for this season and therefore receive the grid penalty.
Changing a combustion engine is subject to a grid penalty of 10 places, a second time that the maximum number per season is exceeded, you will receive a 5 place penalty. Using an extra gearbox is, just like with an engine change for the first time, good for a 10-place penalty. Leclerc is already going for a new engine for the second time and would therefore only receive a 5-place penalty for that, but he will probably replace more parts that result in a grid penalty. All in all, it is in any case enough to have both Verstappen and Leclerc start at the very back on Sunday.
The two rivals therefore have to make a big catch up to score good points. The fact that both Red Bull and Ferrari have chosen Spa for the substitutions is easily explained. After all, it is relatively easy to make your way forward here. At Zandvoort, where F1 will drive next week, that is certainly not the case. It is great for Verstappen in particular that he can start his home race next week with a fresh engine and without penalties.
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– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl