Max Verstappen is set to receive a large grid penalty at this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, according to multiple reports.
Red Bull announced on Friday ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix that they would be changing several parts of the power unit of Verstappen’s RB20, including a new internal combustion engine (ICE), a new turbocharger (TC), a new Motor Generator Unit-Heat (MGU-H) and a new Motor Generator Unit-Kinetic (MGU-K).
These parts are the fourth that Red Bull has used on Verstappen’s RB20 this season – for each part listed, teams are allowed four for the entire season. FIA Sporting Regulations Article 28.2.
It is therefore only a matter of time before Red Bull makes further changes and penalizes Verstappen, which is reported to be happening this weekend.
According to multiple reports, Red Bull plans to replace the ICE in Verstappen’s RB20, as this is the fifth new ICE to be used this season. FIA Sporting Regulations Article 28.3He will serve a 10-place grid penalty this weekend.
There are 10 races remaining after Spa, meaning further penalties could be imposed throughout the season.
Now, this was expected after the Spanish Grand Prix and, as we wrote at the time, it was likely that Red Bull would make such a change this weekend. It will be the third year in a row that Verstappen will receive such a penalty at the Belgian Grand Prix, as Red Bull made similar “strategic” changes in both 2022 and 2023. Overtaking is a little easier at Spa than other circuits, so even if Verstappen starts from the back, he may be able to reclaim his position on the track.
For example, at the 2022 Belgian Grand Prix, Verstappen qualified on pole position, but a series of penalties due to new components meant he would start the race from 14th place.
He won the race.
The same story unfolded last year, when Verstappen qualified on pole but was demoted five places on the grid for new engine parts. He started sixth after taking pole position but went on to win the Belgian Grand Prix again in 2023.
However, this isn’t 2022 or 2023, so it may be a bit harder for Verstappen to reclaim those positions on the track. The RB19 was the dominant package last season, but McLaren’s MCL38 may hold that honor at this point in the season. Plus, Mercedes has been on a roll in recent weeks, taking five consecutive Grand Prix podiums, and Ferrari will be hoping to make a comeback at Spa.
So the fight on the front lines may become more difficult.
But one thing that could help Verstappen’s effort is rest: he was up into the early hours ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, taking part in the iRacing Spa 24 Hours with his sim racing team, Team Redline, and Dr Helmut Marko says his late-night sim racing sessions are drawing to a close.
At least that’s the case when there’s an F1 race in the morning.
“Max Verstappen has been pretty nervous this weekend and, of course, it didn’t take long for the criticism to come in – which is understandable when you consider that he spends half his nights racing on a sim.” Marco said Speed Week“It should be pointed out that in Imola, after a simulated race session, he only went to sleep at 3am, but then went on to win the Grand Prix. Max has a different sleep rhythm and got seven hours of sleep.”
“His late-night simulation session during the Hungarian weekend was due to one of the team’s drivers dropping out, but it has been agreed that in future he will not run simulations so late.”
Will a rested Verstappen be able to compete at the top this weekend?
