Max Verstappen and Red Bull are bracing themselves for an impending grid penalty. The next engine change in Verstappen’s RB20, driven by the three-time world champion, will result in a ten-place grid penalty. It is likely that Verstappen will choose to take this penalty at the Grand Prix in Belgium at the end of next month.
Each F1 driver is allowed to use four combustion engines without penalty this season. Verstappen has already done so. However, the engine he used in Canada, which was damaged, can no longer be used. This was determined after an investigation at the Honda factory in Suzuka, Japan.
Verstappen now has three engines left in his pool. The freshest power unit was first used in Barcelona and is therefore relatively new. The other two engines have already accumulated more mileage.
If Verstappen opts for a new combustion engine, a ten-place grid penalty will follow. For a new engine part, the first time also results in a ten-place grid penalty, after which the sanction is ‘only’ five places.
It seems a foregone conclusion that Verstappen and Red Bull will choose to deploy a new engine in Belgium, as overtaking is relatively easy on the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. In 2022, Verstappen won the race from P14, and in 2023 from P6.
