Breaking News: Verstappen will suffer a harsh punishment for the….

July 24, 2024 Jude Sports 0

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - JULY 21: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing prepares to drive in the garage prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Hungary at Hungaroring on July 21, 2024 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202407210307 // Usage for editorial use only //

Verstappen facing severe penalty for Belgian GP

Max Verstappen holds a sizeable lead in the drivers’ championship heading into the 14th round of the F1 season around the famous Spa-Francorchamps track.

Max Verstappen’s chances of a successful Belgian Grand Prix weekend may be dealt a blow, with the Dutchman set to take a grid penalty for the race.

Heading into the race weekend, Verstappen had already used four internal combustion engines (ICE), turbochargers, MGU-Hs and MGU-K units, as well as two control electronics and energy stores.

It placed the Dutchman on the brink of a grid drop, which RacingNews365 understands Red Bull has now opted to take for the event at Spa-Francorchamps.

For the race weekend, Verstappen will be fitted with a new ICE.

As a result, he is set to start the Belgian Grand Prix 10 places further back on the grid than he will qualify.

Spa has often served as a destination for teams to take a deliberate engine penalty due to the high probability of overtaking around the 7.004km circuit.

Verstappen enters the race weekend holding a 76-point lead in the drivers’ championship ahead of Lando Norris – that lead will likely now be further reduced heading into the summer break.