Max Verstappen will suffer one penalty by ten positions on the starting grid of the GP of Belgium. News that had been in the air for a few days, confirmed by Max Verstappen on the eve of the weekend. The Dutch driver will therefore have to serve a penalty for replacing the ICE, the combustion engine, on his Red Bull. A weekend that starts off uphill for the three-time world champion.
Verstappen forced to serve penalty in Belgian GP
Like every driver on the grid, Verstappen also has only four engines available for the entire duration of the season. The ICE had already been replaced on the Dutchman's car during the Canadian weekend at the beginning of June. In that case, during the second free practice, the third combustion engine used broke, thus making way for the fourth. Now, Red Bull has decided to opt for the installation of the fifth ICE, thus incurring the penalty. Max Verstappen, who hasn't won in three races, will therefore see the Belgian weekend start on an uphill climb. In Hungary the world champion proved to be nervous, both while driving and in communicating with his pit wall. He will therefore need calm and concentration to bring home as much as possible in a crucial weekend, the last one before the usual summer break. Verstappen will have to give his best in qualifying, the result of which will deduct the ten penalty positions he is entitled to.
Speaking to Sky, Verstappen declared: “We will have to take penalties here, we will try to do what we can to recover but it won't be easy considering that there should be some unknowns related to the weather."
Spa-Francorchamps is the right track to choose to start from the back
It is not the first time that Red Bull has chosen to incur a penalty of this kind on the Spa track. In fact, in the last two years Verstappen has already seen himself relegated on the grid due to the change of some components. In 2022, the Dutch driver started fourteenth from pole. Instead, last year, due to the replacement of the gearbox, he started fifth, always climbing from pole position. In both cases Verstappen won the race. In fact, the Austrian team's choice to take penalties right here in Belgium is not a coincidence. The beautiful Spa-Francorchamps track is ideal for overtaking. In fact, it is no coincidence that the racetrack has been renamed as the Formula 1 university, as it manages to put the drivers' skills to the test, while at the same time giving fantastic emotions to the fans.
Red Bull chooses to preserve itself ahead of the Zandvoort GP
One thing is certain: it won't be so easy for Verstappen to grab victory this year. In the last two seasons, Red Bull's superiority allowed the Dutchman to recover what he lost due to penalties in just a few laps. However, given the progress of the last few races, it is unlikely that the same scene will recur. The opponents this time are closer in terms of performance, especially the McLarens who seem to be superior to everyone lately, strategies permitting. Red Bull's choice to replace the ICE right here in Belgium is not only motivated by the ease with which overtaking can be accomplished. After the summer break, Formula 1 will arrive on the coast of the Netherlands, in Zandvoort. A track where overtaking is really complicated and starting from the back could be a serious disadvantage. Not only. Zandvoort is Max Verstappen's home grand prix, and he will certainly want to win in front of his fans. In the event of a failure to win, the climate at Red Bull could worsen further, thus intensifying the tension between Verstappen and his team.
Source: Sky sports
