Lando Norris will start Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix ten places down the grid as the McLaren driver's championship defense faces another setback. The penalty comes after his car was fitted with a new battery, his fourth of the season, exceeding the permitted limit without penalty.
McLaren opted to take the penalty at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, a track known for its overtaking opportunities. This decision also positions the penalty before a significant car upgrade is scheduled to be introduced at the next race in Hungary. Norris hopes to remain competitive and close the 82-point gap to championship leader Kimi Antonelli.
Despite the setback, Norris expressed confidence in his team's potential. "We will have to wait and see but, comparing us to some of our competitors further back in the field, we will probably have a small straight-line speed advantage," Norris stated. "We should have a good chance."
He added that taking the penalty at Spa is preferable to doing so at upcoming races in Hungary or Zandvoort. "We have been unlucky losing different bits. I am on the backfoot in terms of spare parts, but that is out of my hands. That’s life. You’ve got to take it on the chin."
Separately, four-time world champion Max Verstappen declined to comment on his future when questioned during the official press conference. Verstappen has experienced reliability issues with his Red Bull car this season, including a retirement at Silverstone due to a rear-wing failure, and is currently 103 points behind the leader. He has yet to commit to a contract with his team for the following season.