Penalty rain for engine changes in Spa
For this Formula 1 comeback weekend, many drivers have changed engine components at the dawn of the Belgian Grand Prix and a trio of races. As a result, some find themselves above the permitted limit and will be penalized on the grid this Sunday.
Given the schedule that includes three races in three weeks, it seems like a wise choice to change the engine this weekend. The layout of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit will allow drivers who have received a penalty to not lose too much time in traffic, as the circuit offers long straight lines.
In the end, it will indeed be five drivers starting at the back of the grid this Sunday. The two contenders for the title, Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen, are penalized. But also Esteban Ocon, Lando Norris, and Valtteri Bottas.
The drivers not penalized for internal combustion engine replacement.
Quick reminder of the rules explaining why these drivers are not penalized:
The internal combustion engine used by the other drivers above is one of the three new internal combustion engines authorized for the 2022 season of the Championship, and this complies with Article 28.2 of the Sporting Regulations of Formula 1 2022.
| Drivers | Nombre de moteurs utilisés (avec le changement de ce week-end) | |
| 1 | Hamilton | 3 |
| 2 | Russell | 3 |
| 3 | Ricciardo | 3 |
| 4 | Stroll | 3 |
| 5 | Vettel | 3 |
| 6 | Albon | 3 |
| 7 | Latifi | 3 |
The drivers penalized for engine change.
The drivers below have exceeded the allowed limit of the number of internal combustion engines this season and will have to start from the back of the grid this Sunday.
| Drivers | Nombre de moteurs utilisés avec le changement de ce week-end | |
| 1 | Norris | 4 |
| 2 | Ocon | 4 |
| 3 | Verstappen | 4 |
| 4 | Bottas | 5 |
Even if Charles Leclerc did not modify his internal combustion engine, he changed other parts by using a fifth unit of kinetic energy recovery system (MGU-K), exceeding the authorized limit of 3. This installation of new parts condemns him to start from the back of the grid as well.
Mick Schumacher will also be penalized following a change of electronic controller, his third of the season, while only 2 are allowed.
These drivers will still have to try to achieve the best possible result in qualifying in order to determine a starting order among the penalized ones.
