For new fans of Formula 1, qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix might have been a bit of a head-scratcher, as they witnessed Max Verstappen blow the opposition away with the P1 time – only to be rewarded with 15th on the grid.
It’s all to do with grid penalties, with Verstappen joining five other drivers – Charles Leclerc, Esteban Ocon, Lando Norris, Zhou Guanyu and Mick Schumacher, in that order – at the back of the grid after they all changed a raft of components on their power units and gearboxes.
Valtteri Bottas will start ahead in P14, meanwhile, given that he has received a 20-place grid drop, rather than a back-of-the-grid start.
Need some more explaining? Let F1 Correspondent Lawrence Barretto and F1 TV presenter Laura Winter be your guides by hitting play on the video above.
Next Up
Related Articles
Marko ‘believed in me when others didn’t’ – Lindblad
Beyond The GridThe best of 2025, from Norris’ evolution to Brad Pitt’s ‘need for speed’
Formula 1’s record-breaking 2025 season in numbers
Tremayne'Why I’ll always have a soft spot for Sauber'.webp)
Winners & Losers5 Winners and 5 Losers from the 2025 season
EXPLAINED: The key terms for F1’s new-for-2026 rules