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.
Also interesting:
In the latest episode of the RacingNews365 podcast, Ian, Sam and Nick look back at last weekend's Hungarian GP and look ahead to the Belgian GP. Max Verstappen's recent radio rage and Lando Norris almost ignoring McLaren team orders are discussed!
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