Verstappen handed GRID PENALTY for Belgian Grand Prix

Max Verstappen will take a five-place grid penalty in the Belgian Grand Prix, it has been announced, after Red Bull decided to fit a new gearbox onto his car.

The Dutchman will be penalised for the change in machinery as each driver is allowed four gearboxes over the whole season, and this marks the fifth in his car.

He is the first driver to exceed the limit this year so far.

However, this is unlikely to prove too much of an obstacle to a dominant Verstappen.

In fact, last year the Dutchman started in P14 on the grid, having changed a power unit and a gearbox driveline, and charged through the pack during the race to take P1.

Ahead of the weekend on Thursday, Verstappen seemed positive about his chances after a strong weekend in Hungary.

He said: “I think we have a quick car. Of course, there are a lot of other teams and I think they brought a lot more than us this year, because we couldn't.

“But we are very happy with how the car is performing. Our Saturday is maybe not ideal, but I think on the Sunday you can see the upgrades we brought. It [Hungary] was a good race to see it working.”

Who else is close to the limit?

Sergio Perez and Pierre Gasly have used four gearboxes so far this season, as have the two Haas cars of Nico Hülkenberg and Kevin Magnussen.

Gasly in particular is close to penalties for several elements of his car, having also used the maximum of four internal combustion engines and turbo chargers.

With 10 more races to go after the summer break, he will have to make his setup last much longer than other drivers on the grid.

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