Belgian Grand Prix: Verstappen heavily penalized

Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull), leader in the Formula 1 world championship, made a gearbox change, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) announced on Friday, and will therefore receive a penalty of five places on the starting grid for the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday.

Red Bull has installed a 5th gearbox on the single-seater of the double world champion, beyond the four authorized per season. This change will earn him a penalty on the starting grid, according to the regulations in force. This penalty will not apply at the start of the sprint race on Saturday at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit.

If he does not change other elements of his car by then by violating the regulations, Verstappen will therefore start sixth on Sunday at best.

Last year, the Dutchman won in Belgium from a distant 14th place on the grid, due to an engine change beyond the authorized quota and an unauthorized gearbox component.

The Belgian GP, ​​12th meeting of the season, is the third round of the year (after Azerbaijan in April and Austria in early July) to offer a sprint format, which changes the course of the weekend.

Thus, the drivers run only one free practice session on Friday, followed by a first qualifying session - in progress - which will determine the starting grid for the GP on Sunday.

Saturday will be dedicated to the sprint. Drivers will take to the track at 12:00 p.m. for a second qualifying session (called “Sprint Shootout”), similar to Friday's but shorter, which will determine the starting order for the sprint race later in the day. , at 4:30 p.m.

Verstappen, who has 281 points, comfortably leads the world championship with 110 points ahead of his teammate, the Mexican Sergio Pérez.