Max Verstappen, Red Bull Formula 1 driver, is set to take a grid penalty for a new combustion engine at Spa grid. The team had consecutively chosen this venue for Verstappen for power plant change since 2022.
The Dutchman will drop 10 places for exceeding the available limit for engine change in a single year. He lost a power unit during practice session in June at Canadian Grand Prix, which opened the window for a grid penalty.
The world champion had to take last allowable, i.e 4th, Honda’s power unit at Spain. He consumed all the margins with half the season left. Therefore, Red Bull had to brace for a grid penalty to improve its performance.
Verstappen had expressed his frustration over the radio with team and pushed for a more competitive car. This year he had faced McLaren, Mercedes and Ferrari to fight for position or competitive edge.
Understandably, the Red Bull team had chosen the right venue on the grid with fifth power unit. The Spa-Francorchamps provides great opportunities for overtaking, which is why different teams have chosen the venue. It provide a balance between risk an its mitigation, i.e. grid penalties with minimal consequences.
In 2022, Verstappen started the race at 14th place and finished at the top. Last year he started at sixth for a grid penalty and won the race.
However, the same scenario is unlikely this time with other drivers in more competitive cars, especially McLaren & Mercedes.
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McLaren snatched the top two spots while Lewis Hamilton took the last place on podium at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Nonetheless, Red Bull expects better results with newer engine at Spa.
Sergio Perez, Max team mate, has already taken his fifth power unit at British Grand Prix. He didn’t have a huge impact because of poor qualifying.
Additionally, Verstappen is on the verge for turbo charger, control electronics, electric motors and battery. This put him to another risk of grid penalty later in the season.
Red Bull is set to revert RB20 specifications with new upgrades at the Spa.
“It was a big effort to bring this upgrade for this race,” team boss Christian Horner said. “I think we’ve got more performance to bring from them and there are some positives from that.
“The car is a different specification again next weekend.”
