Max Verstappen Faces Severe Penalty for Belgian GP

Max Verstappen’s chances for a successful Belgian Grand Prix weekend have been compromised, as he is set to face a 10-place grid penalty. This decision follows the Dutch driver’s extensive use of engine components this season, having already utilized four internal combustion engines (ICE), turbochargers, MGU-Hs, MGU-K units, as well as two control electronics and energy stores. With Red Bull opting to fit a new ICE for the Spa-Francorchamps race, Verstappen will start the race 10 places back from his qualifying position.

Spa-Francorchamps, known for its overtaking opportunities on the 7.004km circuit, is often a strategic choice for teams to take engine penalties. Despite holding a 76-point lead in the drivers’ championship over Lando Norris, this penalty could narrow the gap heading into the summer break.

Red Bull Reaches Agreement with Verstappen Over Sim Racing

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has revealed a new agreement with Max Verstappen regarding his sim racing activities. Verstappen faced criticism for staying up late to participate in a sim race the night before the Hungarian Grand Prix, resulting in a difficult race where he publicly criticized the team’s strategy and collided with Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton. His frustrations were evident post-race, where he harshly addressed his critics.

Marko pointed out that Verstappen had previously stayed up late sim racing before the Imola Grand Prix earlier this year, where he still managed to win. However, to prevent similar issues in the future, it has been agreed that Verstappen will no longer participate in late-night sim racing sessions.

“Max Verstappen was rather thin-skinned this weekend, and of course, it didn’t take long for criticism to arise – no wonder, given that he spends half the night playing sim racing,” Marko wrote in his column for Speedweek. “In Imola, he didn’t go to bed until three o’clock in the morning after a sim racing session – and then won the Grand Prix. Max has a different sleep rhythm and he had his seven hours of sleep. His late-night sim race on the Hungarian weekend only came about because a driver in his team cancelled. Nevertheless, we have agreed that he will no longer run sim races this late in future.”