Max Verstappen, Red Bull’s ace, will take a 10-place grid penalty at the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix due to exceeding his engine allowance. This decision, anticipated and confirmed earlier in the week, means Verstappen will be starting from no higher than 11th place on Sunday.

Red Bull has fitted Verstappen’s car with its fifth internal combustion unit of the season, surpassing the permitted limit without incurring a penalty. This development follows Verstappen’s power unit loss during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend in June, putting him on the brink of a grid penalty.

Despite the setback, Verstappen has a history of overcoming such challenges at Spa. He won the race in 2022 starting from 14th place and triumphed again in 2023 from sixth. However, the competition is stiffer this year, making his task more daunting.

Verstappen, who currently leads the Drivers’ Championship by 76 points over McLaren’s Lando Norris, expressed frustration over team radio during the Hungarian Grand Prix after failing to secure a podium finish. Sky Sports’ Craig Slater noted Verstappen’s embattled demeanor, attributing it to the increasingly competitive performance of rival teams.

The Belgian Grand Prix, the final race before F1’s summer break, promises intense action. Fans can catch every session live on Sky Sports F1 from Friday to Sunday.