Lando Norris will take a 10-place grid penalty at Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix.
McLaren confirmed on Thursday that Norris’ MCL40 will use a new power electronics unit at Spa-Francorchamps – the fourth such element the car has already been fitted with this season, one more than is permitted penalty-free under F1’s regulations.
That automatically triggers a 10-place grid drop for the reigning world champion for wherever he qualifies for Sunday’s race.
McLaren said they are fitting the fresh unit to take advantage of reliability improvements from engine suppliers Mercedes, with Spa-Francorchamps chosen as the circuit to take it due to its relatively overtaking-friendly nature.
A McLaren statement read: “Car Number 1’s first power electronics unit suffered a terminal issue in China, which meant Lando was unable to start the race.
“Lando’s second power electronics unit, fitted in Japan, needed to be withdrawn for remedial work after suffering issues in Free Practice, which necessitated moving to a third and final power electronics unit within the permitted allocation. While the second power electronics unit was able to be repaired after the Japanese Grand Prix, it suffered a terminal issue in FP2 in Monaco, and was withdrawn from our allocation once again.
“While the power electronics unit we installed in Japan, and have used in every session since Miami, has worked reliably, Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains has since introduced a series of reliability fixes to their new power electronics systems.
“However, in order to take advantage of these improvements, we must incur a 10-place grid penalty on Lando’s car in order to take a new unit.
“We have chosen to do this in Belgium, a circuit where overtaking is relatively more prevalent, as opposed to the following two events in Hungary and Zandvoort. We now plan to use this fourth power electronics unit for the remainder of the season, in order to maximise reliability while minimising sporting penalties on Lando.”
More to follow…
Sky Sports F1’s Belgian GP schedule
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Look back at some of the most dramatic moments throughout the years at the Belgian Grand Prix
Friday July 17
8.50am: F3 Practice
10am: F2 Practice
12pm: Belgian GP Practice One (session starts at 12.30pm)
2pm: F3 Qualifying
2.55pm: F2 Qualifying
3.30pm: Belgian GP Practice Two (session starts at 4pm)
5.15pm: The F1 Show
Saturday July 18
9am: F3 Sprint
11.15am: Belgian GP Practice Three (session starts at 11.30am)
1.15pm: F2 Sprint
2.15pm: Belgian GP Qualifying build-up*
3pm: BELGIAN GP QUALIFYING*
Sunday July 19
7.30am: F3 Feature Race
9am: F2 Feature Race
10.45am: Porsche Supercup
12.30pm: Belgian GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday
2pm: THE BELGIAN GRAND PRIX
4pm: Belgian GP reaction: Chequered Flag
*Also on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1’s summer run continues with the Belgian Grand Prix at legendary Spa-Francorchamps this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
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