Max Verstappen also joins the list of drivers to use a new power unit at the Belgian Grand Prix. Unlike his teammate, the Dutchman will not receive a grid penalty.
Multiple drivers have taken on new power unit components for this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix. Verstappen’s RB22 will run with a new internal combustion engine, turbocharger and exhaust set.
Verstappen’s teammate, Isack Hadjar, will start the Belgian Grand Prix from the back of the grid. The Frenchman confirmed the news during Thursday’s media day at Spa after receiving the same new power unit components as Verstappen.
Antonelli escapes grid penalty for now
A fourth power unit has been fitted to Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes for this weekend. The German team added the new engine to his pool and is inspecting the one used during the British Grand Prix as a precaution, GPblog understands.
For now, the Italian escapes a grid penalty, but one additional power unit change would see him drop down the grid.
Ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix, McLaren confirmed that Norris will start the weekend with a 10-place grid penalty.
“We have chosen to do this in Belgium, a circuit where overtaking is relatively more prevalent, as opposed to the following two events in Hungary and Zandvoort. We now plan to use this fourth power electronics unit for the remainder of the season, in order to maximise reliability while minimising sporting penalties on Lando,” the Woking-based outfit explained.
Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll will also receive a grid penalty after exceeding the permitted number of MGU-Ks for the season.
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