In line with a number of reviews, Max Verstappen is about to take a giant grid penalty at this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.
Crimson Bull introduced on the Friday forward of the Spanish Grand Prix that the crew was changing a number of energy unit parts on Verstappen’s RB20. Among the many new parts, Crimson Invoice put in a brand new inner combustion engine (ICE), a brand new turbocharger (TC), a brand new motor generator unit-heat (MGU-H), and a brand new motor generator unit-kinetic (MGU-Ok).
Every of these parts was the fourth such component utilized by Crimson Bull on Verstappen’s RB20 this season. For every part listed, groups are allowed 4 for the complete season, beneath Article 28.2 of the FIA Sporting Laws.
As such, it was a matter of time earlier than Crimson Bull made further adjustments, subjecting Verstappen to a penalty, which can reportedly come this weekend.
Per a number of reviews, Crimson Bull will likely be changing the ICE on Verstappen’s RB20, and as that is the fifth new ICE used this season, beneath Article 28.3 of the FIA Sporting Laws, he’ll face a ten-place grid penalty this weekend.
And with ten races to observe after Spa, further penalties might be coming over the course of the season.
Now, this was anticipated following the Spanish Grand Prix, and as we wrote on the time it was seemingly that Crimson Bull would make such a change this weekend. This would be the third 12 months in a row the Verstappen was hit with such a penalty on the Belgian Grand Prix, as Crimson Bull made related “strategic” adjustments in each 2022 and 2023. Overtaking is a bit simpler at Spa than it’s at different circuits, that means that if Verstappen does begin additional again within the discipline, the possibilities are he can nonetheless make up these positions on the observe.
For instance, on the 2022 Belgian Grand Prix Verstappen certified on pole, however a sequence of penalties because of new parts noticed him begin the race in 14th place.
He gained the race.
It was the identical story final 12 months, as Verstappen certified in pole place however took a five-place grid drop for brand new engine parts. He began sixth after capturing pole place however once more gained the 2023 Belgian Grand Prix.
Nevertheless, this isn’t 2022 or 2023, and it is perhaps a bit more durable for Verstappen to make up these spots on the observe. Whereas the RB19 was the dominant package deal a season in the past, at this level within the season McLaren’s MCL38 would possibly maintain that honor. As well as, Mercedes has been robust in current weeks — having notched 5 straight Grand Prix podiums — and Ferrari is hoping to rebound at Spa.
So a combat to the entrance is perhaps more durable.
Nevertheless, one thing that would assist in Verstappen’s effort is relaxation. Whereas the motive force was up till the early-morning hours forward of the Hungarian Grand Prix taking part within the iRacing Spa 24 hours with Workforce Redline, his sim racing crew, in accordance with Dr. Helmut Marko these late-night sim racing periods are coming to an finish.
A minimum of when he has an F1 race within the morning.
“Max Verstappen was fairly thin-skinned this weekend, and naturally it didn’t take lengthy for criticism to come up – no marvel, since he spends half the evening taking part in sim racing,” Marko mentioned to Pace Week. “I’ve to level out that at Imola, after a sim-racing session, he solely went to mattress at three o’clock within the morning – after which gained the grand prix. Max has a special sleep rhythm, and he acquired his seven hours of sleep.
“His late-night sim session on the Hungary weekend solely occurred as a result of considered one of his crew’s drivers dropped out. Nonetheless, we have now agreed that in future he gained’t do simulations so late anymore.”
Can a rested Verstappen combat to the entrance this weekend?
