Belgium (AFP)
The defending Formula One world champion and world championship leader Max Verstappen and Ferrari chasing Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc of Monaco leave from the bottom position at the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday, after being penalized for inserting new parts into their engines.
Verstappen, who leads by 80 points before this 14th stage of the world championship, will be Leclerc, along with Briton Lando Norris (McLaren), French Esteban Ocon (Albin), Finn Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo) and German Mick Schumacher, who were also punished for adding parts New on the engine or gearbox outside the quota.
The Dutch Red Bull captain was equipped with a fourth engine, in addition to the maximum of three engines allowed per season, and the unauthorized gearbox component.
As for Leclerc, who was previously subject to an engine penalty in Canada, he also modified components that exceeded the engine limit and the attic of his Ferrari.
And when many drivers are penalized in this way, it is their result during qualifying that makes the difference.
Thus, they will race Saturday at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps to start from a less bad position.
Other drivers, such as seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton and compatriot George Russell (Mercedes), also installed new components during the first stage of Friday practice, but they are still within the limits of the regulations and can strive for first place.
Mexican Sergio Perez (Red Bull) and Spain’s Carlos Sainz (Ferrari), who are third and fifth in the world championships and have not been sanctioned, can also seize the opportunity to shine on Saturday and Sunday.