Verstappen fined before the Belgian GP
Max Verstappen, the driver for Red Bull, will start the Belgian Grand Prix five places higher than originally planned after a gearbox change.
Before the race at Spa-Francorchamps, Red Bull announced they had installed a new fifth gear for this weekend’s event. Formula 1 drivers are only allowed four gearboxes per season, and Verstappen has become the first driver to exceed this limit.
Verstappen has often complained about problems with gearbox synchronization, but it is unknown if this was the direct reason previous gearboxes burned out. Red Bull’s decision to replace the gearbox is logical, given that the circuit in Belgium offers opportunities for overtaking.
🚨 MAX VERSTAPPEN WILL GET A 5 PLACE GRID PENALTY FOR THIS SUNDAY'S RACE!
— RBR Daily (@RBR_Daily) July 28, 2023
He is taking a new gearbox!
[@ErikvHaren] #F1 #BelgianGP pic.twitter.com/s8tTr7UW7M
Max Verstappen isn’t too worried about finishing fifth place at the Hungaroring. He’s confident in Red Bull’s dominance at this track. Despite other good teams performing well this year, Verstappen believes they’ve let them show off and are happy with how their car is behaving. They’ll show all the changes they’ve made on Sunday after possibly not performing ideally on Saturday. Verstappen had a great race in Hungary last year and believes everything can work out again.
As we approach the halfway point of the Formula 1 season, some drivers risk being fined for changing gears, including Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez, but also Pierre Gasly, Nico Hulkenberg, and Kevin Magnussen. There will also be a sprint race in Belgium, but Verstappen’s five-place penalty will only apply to the main race.