Norris takes 10-place Belgian GP grid penalty after McLaren fits fourth power electronics unit
The world champion will drop 10 places on Sunday's grid at Spa-Francorchamps after McLaren installed a fourth power electronics unit, exceeding the season's allocation of three.
The penalty announcement
McLaren confirmed on Thursday that Lando Norris will take a 10-place grid penalty for Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix after fitting a fourth power electronics unit to his car. The season limit is three units, so the change triggers a mandatory drop. Norris started last year's race at Spa from pole position, but the team has struggled for pace in 2026 and sits third in the constructors' standings behind Mercedes and Ferrari.
We must incur a 10-place grid penalty on Lando's car in order to take a new unit.
A season of reliability woes
The penalty is the culmination of a series of failures that began in March. The first unit suffered a terminal failure at the Chinese Grand Prix, preventing Norris from starting the race. A second unit was fitted for Japan but had to be withdrawn for repairs after free practice problems. That repaired unit then failed terminally during practice in Monaco in June, forcing McLaren to install a third unit within the allocation. That third unit has run reliably since Miami, but the team now wants to adopt reliability fixes introduced by Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains.
- First power electronics unit fails terminally in China, Norris unable to start the race
- Second unit fitted for Japanese GP, later withdrawn for repairs after free practice issues
- Repaired second unit suffers terminal failure in Monaco practice, third unit installed
- McLaren announces fourth unit for Belgian GP, triggering 10-place grid penalty
Why Belgium?
McLaren chose Spa for the penalty because overtaking is more frequent there than at the next two circuits. The team said in its statement that the Belgian track offers "relatively more prevalent" passing opportunities compared to Hungary and Zandvoort, which follow on the calendar. The plan is to use the fourth unit for the remainder of the season, minimising further sporting penalties. Norris will also test a different rear wing during Friday practice to optimise Sunday's race performance.
We have chosen to do this in Belgium, a circuit where overtaking is relatively more prevalent, as opposed to the following two events in Hungary and Zandvoort.
Championship picture
Norris arrives at Spa fifth in the drivers' standings with 97 points, 82 behind leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes. He has managed only two podium finishes so far this season, neither a victory, as the new technical regulations have reshuffled the competitive order. McLaren dominated in 2025 but has fallen back, with Mercedes and Ferrari leading the way. Norris's best qualifying result will be offset by the 10-place drop, meaning he will start no higher than 11th even if he takes pole on Saturday.
Piastri dismisses Verstappen speculation
Away from the penalty news, Oscar Piastri addressed fresh rumours linking Max Verstappen to his McLaren seat. Reports ahead of the Belgian GP suggested Verstappen's camp had approached McLaren about a potential move as early as next year. Piastri, who signed a long-term deal before the 2025 season, said he feels "very comfortable" and confirmed he will race for the team in 2027. He noted that Verstappen may be exploring options given Red Bull's performance struggles, but stressed his own position is secure.
I'm very happy with where I'm at, where things are at, and how it's all going.
