Hadjar set for major grid penalty at Belgian GP

Isack Hadjar is set to drop to the rear of the grid for the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix after Red Bull elected to take on a host of new power unit elements.

The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is typically a preferred venue to take an engine-related grid drop due to its abundance of overtaking opportunities, which should allow drivers to recover from the setback and move back up the order.

Red Bull have exceeded the season allocation for the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE), Turbocharger and Exhaust on Hadjar’s car.

As per the regulations, the first time the allocation of any one of the elements is exceeded, a 10-place grid penalty will be applied, with the second time this occurs (and so on) resulting in a five-place grid drop – all penalties at the same event applying in a cumulative manner.

If a driver incurs a penalty exceeding 15 grid places, they will be required to start the race at the back of the field regardless.

Hadjar is therefore set to tumble down the order from wherever he qualifies on Saturday, setting up a recovery drive for the Frenchman in Sunday afternoon’s Grand Prix.

Two other drivers are also due to take penalties at Spa, with McLaren’s Lando Norris exceeding his Control Electronics allocation and dropping 10 places, while Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll has done the same with his Motor Generator Unit-Kinetic (MGU-K).