The much-awaited Belgian Grand Prix is around the corner, with numerous exciting and nerve-wracking factors set to provoke an element of uncertainty into the race weekend. Amidst imminent rain and a potential twist-induced sprint event, Red Bull has dropped a huge bombshell on Max Verstappen and his hopes of defeating Sebastian Vettel’s long-held Formula 1 record for the biggest race-winning streak.
Spa-Francorchamps will be hosting this season’s third sprint race event after Baku and Austria. Hence, the anticipations surrounding the forthcoming Grand Prix were already soaring high. However, in the build-up to the event, the expectations were further bolstered, thanks to the ever-rising threat of rain. And now, championship leader, Verstappen has joined the list with a late twist led by the Red Bull garage.
Why Max Verstappen will suffer a 5-place grid penalty at the Belgian GP
The Dutch-Belgian, eagerly preparing for the first of his two home races, will endure a five-place grid penalty on Sunday. According to reports, Red Bull has decided to fix what will be the fifth gearbox in Verstappen’s car. Hence, the defending world champion will find himself lurking in the midfield at the start of the Belgian Grand Prix.
🚨BREAKING🚨| 🇧🇪 Max Verstappen to receive a 5-place grid penalty for race on Sunday
Max will install his fifth gearbox of the season. Due to failures experienced in Jeddah.
Red Bull hope Checo could finish the season with allocated 4 gearboxes.
[@ErikvHaren]#F1 #BelgianGP pic.twitter.com/Aan1aTLGsK
— RBR News 🇳🇱🇲🇽 (@redbulletin) July 28, 2023
One might wonder why Verstappen is the first driver of 2023 to suffer this inevitable punishment. The reason dates back to the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix; Verstappen was forced to retire from the qualifying session in Jeddah citing a gearbox failure, meaning he has since been a gearbox down on the rest of the grid.
Meanwhile, the other Red Bull driver Sergio Perez is currently a gearbox change away from facing similar repercussions. But, nonetheless, with Verstappen falling prey to the PU and gearbox regulations in Belgium, the time has finally arrived for Perez to up his game and return to the top of the podium.
Breathtaking fight for victory awaits all-to-play-for Belgian GP amid Verstappen penalty
The storyline of this year has been quite straightforward so far – Verstappen leading the pack with a definitive margin while the rest of the grid engages in close battles for the rest of the positions. However, with the unforeseen grid penalty, Verstappen could find himself at least on the third row on Sunday, assuming he secures pole position over Friday’s qualifying.
Another soggy morning at Spa but
only light rain at the moment: pic.twitter.com/uBSk6Tz2C9— Adam Cooper (@adamcooperF1) July 28, 2023
Furthermore, the imminent wet weather could trigger a level-playing field, making it all the more challenging for Verstappen and his pursuit to the top. Therefore, a victory could well be there for the take, as an extremely fierce battle between Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren, and Aston Martin doesn’t seem too far off from being practical.
Hence, amid a potentially exhilarating weekend ahead, can Verstappen defy the odds to claim his 8th consecutive race victory? Or, will Perez finally secure his first race victory since the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix?