Max Verstappen faces a 10-place grid penalty at the Belgian GP

Max Verstappen is set to start the Belgian Grand Prix with a 10-place grid penalty as Red Bull strategically introduces a new power unit, Motorsport.com has learned.

The decision comes as the team seeks to minimize the impact of an inevitable engine change on their championship campaign.

The reigning world champion has been teetering on the brink of an engine penalty since losing a power unit during practice for the Canadian Grand Prix in June.

This setback forced Red Bull to introduce Verstappen's fourth Honda power unit in Spain, reaching the maximum allowance with more than half the season remaining.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner hinted at the impending change, stating,

"We've got more performance to bring from them and there are some positives from that."

The team has chosen Spa-Francorchamps, a circuit known for its overtaking opportunities, to implement this strategy.

Historical precedent at Spa

The Belgian Grand Prix has long been a favored venue for teams to absorb grid penalties.

In 2022, Verstappen demonstrated the viability of this approach by securing victory from 14th on the grid.

Last year, he repeated the feat, winning from sixth place despite another engine-related penalty.

However, the landscape has shifted in recent weeks.

McLaren's resurgence, culminating in a 1-2 finish at the Hungarian Grand Prix, suggests that Verstappen may face stiffer competition in his charge through the field this time around.

Technical considerations

The penalty will see Verstappen take his fifth combustion engine of the season, exceeding the allocated four units.

It's worth noting that the Dutch driver is also on his final turbocharger, battery, control electronics, and electric motors, indicating the possibility of further grid drops later in the season.

Sergio Perez, Verstappen's teammate, finds himself in a similar situation.

However, Red Bull capitalized on a poor qualifying performance at the British Grand Prix to introduce Perez's fifth power unit, mitigating the impact of the penalty.

Spa-specific adjustments

As the teams prepare for the unique challenges of Spa-Francorchamps, Red Bull is set to modify its RB20 specification.

After introducing a significant upgrade package in Budapest, the team will revert to a configuration that prioritizes aerodynamic efficiency over maximum downforce.

Horner explained the rationale behind this decision:

"The car is a different specification again next weekend."

This adaptive approach underscores Red Bull's commitment to optimizing their performance across varied circuit layouts.

While Verstappen's grid penalty presents a challenge, Red Bull's timing and the team's historical success at Spa suggest they remain confident in their ability to secure a strong result.