![](https://cdn-sport.timesofmalta.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/000_34ZQ36K.jpg?x57201)
Dutch reigning Formula One world champion Max Verstappen was handed a 10-place grid penalty at the Belgian Grand Prix on Friday after making an engine change.
Red Bull fitted a fifth internal combustion engine to Verstappen’s car, in addition to the four permitted per season. This change will earn him a penalty on the starting grid of the GP, as per the rules in force.
Red Bull made the move after three races without a win.
The sanction came as no surprise for Verstappen, who said to the press on Thursday that it was likely he would face punishment.
“Some tracks naturally are a bit better than others (to incur this penalty). Of course, on a street circuit, you wouldn’t want to have an engine penalty. So, yeah, most likely it will be here,” the 26-year-old said Thursday.
Verstappen is looking for a fourth-consecutive win at Belgium’s famous Spa race course on Sunday.
However, he has tempered his expectations for this year.
“If you look at our last few races where we haven’t particularly been the fastest, I wouldn’t say that with 10 places extra we have a chance of winning. But, again, a race can always be turned upside down with moments,” said Verstappen.
In the overall championship standings, Verstappen has a 76-point lead over his closest challenger, Lando Norris of McLaren.
![](https://cdn-sport.timesofmalta.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/sportsdesklogosmall-noT.png?x57201)
World Cup News
-
FIFA World Cup
/ 2 days agoVinicius says Spain should lose 2030 World Cup unless racism declines
Brazilian striker Vinicius Junior has called for Spain to be stripped of its 2030...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 2 months agoRights groups demand release of jailed Qatar World Cup ex-staffer
Human rights groups on Wednesday called for the release of Abdullah Ibhais, a former...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 2 months agoNew Jersey governor says 2026 World Cup will be ‘incredibly safe’
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy on Sunday promised the 2026 World Cup will be...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 4 months agoSaudi oil giant Aramco agrees major FIFA sponsorship deal
Saudi Arabia’s state oil giant Aramco and world football governing body FIFA on Thursday...
By AFP
![](https://cdn-sport.timesofmalta.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/000_34KF4EC-80x80.jpg?x57201)
English football
Liverpool ‘colossus’ Ron Yeats dies aged 86
![](https://cdn-sport.timesofmalta.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/000_9YU3GU-80x80.jpg?x57201)