Driver standings leader Max Verstappen will start the Belgian Grand Prix 2024 with a 10-place penalty behind his qualifying position, according to a report.
Red Bull have decided to accept the grid drop because Verstappen will exceed the limit of four internal combustion engines (ICEs) drivers are allowed to use during a season without a penalty, Racing News 365 has said.
The report said Verstappen will be fitted with a new ICE despite already reaching that allowance.
Belgian Grand Prix 2024
Verstappen holds a 76-point lead over second-placed Lando Norris and could feel confident of charging up the grid because of the propensity for overtaking offered by the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.
The 26-year-old has won each of the last three editions of the race, with Lewis Hamilton – on four victories – the only current driver with a better record on the track.
Oscar Piastri’s triumph in Hungary on Sunday, when Verstappen finished fourth, means the reigning champion is on his longest winless run since 2021.
He won four of the first five races of the season to set himself on course for a procession to match his 2023 campaign but has prevailed in three of eight since.
P14 ⏭️ P1 🏆👏
Max was unstoppable in Spa two years ago 🔥#F1 || #BELGIANGP 🇧🇪 PIC.TWITTER.COM/EJBPHZDHNP
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) JULY 23, 2024
Verstappen targets win in Belgium
The Hungarian Grand Prix was particularly eventful for Red Bull, Verstappen raging at his team after being instructed to let Lando Norris overtake him following an incident at Turn One.
Familiar rival Hamilton then clashed with his car in a dramatic climax to the race which allowed the Briton to take third for Mercedes.
“With a better strategy, you’re not in that position,” Verstappen said afterwards. “I don’t think that was wrong.
“I went for a move that was fully on and I don’t think I braked too late. We’ll have to look at it.”
Red Bull are 51 points ahead of McLaren at the top of the constructor standings, having beaten Mercedes into second by 451 points last season.
