July 28, (THEWILL) – Red Bull’s world champion, Max Verstappen, will be handed a five-place grid penalty at the Belgian Grand Prix this weekend after his team fitted a fifth gearbox to his vehicle.
Formula 1 regulations allow drivers to use up to four gearboxes throughout the season without penalty, making Verstappen the first driver this season to surpass the limit, leading to the grid-place penalty.
The Dutchman’s gearbox situation comes amidst repeated complaints from him about gear syncing issues. Notably, other drivers such as Red Bull teammate, Sergio Perez, both Haas drivers, Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen, and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, have already utilised four gearboxes during the season.
The upcoming race at Spa, known for its overtaking opportunities, may provide a chance for Red Bull to mitigate the impact of the penalty if they can bring a fast car to the track. Verstappen, who has won the last seven F1 races and holds a significant 110-point lead over Perez in the championship, appears confident in his car’s competitiveness.
Despite acknowledging that other teams have introduced considerable upgrades this year, Verstappen remains satisfied with his car’s performance, particularly during races. His previous victory from a 14th-place start at Spa last season adds to the anticipation of an exciting race weekend ahead of the summer break.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
