Max Verstappen handed 10-place grid penalty for Belgian Grand Prix 2024, Tsunoda also faces FIA heat

In an unexpected turn of events, reigning Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen is set to face a significant challenge at the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix. Verstappen, along with his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda, will be hit with grid penalties due to the introduction of new power unit components.

For Verstappen, this development comes as he moves onto his fifth internal combustion engine (ICE) of the season. According to Formula 1 regulations, each driver is allocated a limited number of power unit elements they can use throughout the season without incurring penalties.

Verstappen's latest engine change exceeds this allocation, triggering a grid penalty. Specifically, the first time a driver exceeds the allocation of any of the seven power unit elements, a 10-place grid penalty is applied. This means Verstappen will start Sunday's race ten places lower than his qualifying position.

Yuki Tsunoda faces FIA heat

The situation is even more complex for Yuki Tsunoda. The VCARB driver has taken on a fifth ICE, turbocharger, MGU-H, and MGU-K, as well as his third energy store and control electronics set. Cumulatively, this extensive list of changes means Tsunoda will be starting the race from the back of the grid. When a driver incurs a penalty exceeding 15 grid places, they are required to start at the rear.

This decision has significant implications for the race strategy of both drivers. Max Verstappen, who has been dominant throughout the season, will face the daunting task of navigating through the pack at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, a track renowned for its challenging layout and unpredictable weather conditions. 

So, starting from a lower position adds an extra layer of complexity to his race day, requiring not just skill but also a flawless execution of race strategy and potentially some luck with safety cars or weather changes. Tsunoda's penalty, placing him at the very back, presents a different kind of challenge.