Verstappen and Tsunoda hit with grid penalties at Belgian GP after engine changes

Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda have been hit with grid penalties for the Belgian Grand Prix with both drivers taking on new power units ahead of the weekend.

Red Bull’s Verstappen has moved onto a fifth internal combustion engine (ICE), while RB’s Tsunoda is now on a fifth ICE, turbocharger, MGU-H and MGU-K as well as his third energy store and third set of control electronics.

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As per F1’s regulations, should a driver use more power unit elements than the number permitted, a grid place penalty will be imposed upon them at the first event where each additional element is used.

The first time the allocation of any of the seven power unit elements is exceeded, a 10-place grid penalty will be applied, with the second time (and so on) resulting in a five-place grid drop.

All penalties at the same event apply in a cumulative manner and, if a driver incurs a penalty exceeding 15 grid places, they will be required to start the race at the back.

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It means Verstappen is set for a 10-place grid penalty while Tsunoda will begin Sunday's race from the rear of the grid.