McLaren driver Lando Norris has been handed a 10-place grid penalty for the Belgian Grand Prix following a change to his car's power unit battery. The penalty was confirmed by the team in an official statement, with the BBC and The Guardian corroborating the details. This comes as Norris aims to bounce back from a mixed performance at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where he finished a strong sixth but faced criticism for a late-race defensive maneuver.
The grid penalty stems from exceeding the permitted allocation of energy store components under Formula 1's regulations. Norris, who qualified 11th for the Belgian race, will now start from 21st position. In a statement, Norris vowed to "make up ground" during the race, emphasizing his confidence in McLaren's pace at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. "I know we have a good car here, so I’m determined to fight through the field," he said, as reported by The Guardian.
McLaren confirmed the penalty was necessary due to "technical reasons" related to the battery unit. The team added that the change was made to ensure reliability for the remainder of the season, with the Belgian Grand Prix serving as a critical race in the championship fight. Spa's unpredictable weather and high-speed layout often create opportunities for overtaking, which could work in Norris' favor despite the grid setback.
For Indian fans, the Belgian Grand Prix will be broadcast live on FanCode, with the race starting at 1:30 PM IST on Sunday, August 27. Norris' ability to recover from such penalties will be a key storyline, especially as he chases points to keep pace with the leading drivers. The race is also significant for McLaren, who have shown strong form this season and will aim to capitalize on any opportunities at Spa.
Source: BBC, The Guardian, McLaren F1
