Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 on track during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Hungary at Hungaroring on July 19, 2024 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool //
Formula 1 Rumors

F1 Rumor: Verstappen to take Spa grid penalty for new engine

Posted by AR1 staff

Max Verstappen’s chances of a successful Belgian Grand Prix weekend with the inferior Red Bull RB20 will get even worse, 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.

Hence, the Dutchman is on the brink of a grid drop, and paddock rumors say Red Bull has now opted to take the grid drop 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.

In 2022 Verstappen took a grid penalty at Spa and came from 14th on the grid to win.