Four drivers face grid penalties at Belgian Grand Prix

Four Formula 1 drivers will drop grid positions for Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix after their teams exceeded the season's permitted number of power unit components. The penalties affect reigning champion Lando Norris (McLaren), Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll (both Aston Martin), and rookie Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls).

The penalties

• Lando Norris receives a 10-place grid penalty after McLaren installed a fourth control electronics unit. McLaren explained the decision was forced by a series of failures early in the season and that they chose Spa-Francorchamps because overtaking is easier there compared to upcoming circuits like Hungary and Zandvoort Source: excelsiormx.
• Fernando Alonso and his teammate Lance Stroll also face significant drops. Alonso will start from last place after Aston Martin fitted multiple new components (Energy Store, Control Electronics, and Ancillary Component), which triggered a cumulative penalty exceeding 15 places Source: infobae. Stroll loses 10 positions for a new MGU-K unit Source: lavozar.
• Isack Hadjar also starts from the back of the grid after exceeding the limits on his internal combustion engine, turbocharger, and exhaust system Source: lavozar.

Strategic implications

McLaren acknowledged they deliberately timed the penalty for Belgium because the circuit's long straights and high-speed corners make overtaking relatively easy. The team plans to use the new power unit for the remainder of the season to improve reliability Source: infobae. Aston Martin, meanwhile, noted that given their current pace, the penalties may have limited impact on their race results .