Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc hit with grid penalties ahead of Belgian Grand Prix

F1 preview: A lap of the Belgian Grand Prix

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Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc will both be hit with grid penalties and are likely to start the Belgian Grand Prix from the back of the field. Both drivers have fitted new engine components this weekend despite exceeding their parts limit. 

Verstappen will fit his fourth internal combustion engine, fourth turbocharger and fourth MGU-H unit and fourth MGU-K unit. Only three of these parts are allowed for the season meaning he has broken FIA rules. 

Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc had installed a fifth MGU-K unit despite only three being allowed over the season. The Monegasque has also equipped a third energy store with the rules directing only two can be used.

Both drivers have also taken extra gearbox components which is against the regulations. Verstappen and Leclerc have both taken a fifth new gearbox driveline, gear change components and auxiliary components despite the rules only allowing four for the season. 

Ferrari have also fitted Leclerc with a fifth gearbox case and cassette despite only four being set out in the rules. The regulations set out that drivers will receive a 10 place penalty the first time an additional element is used. 

The next time an extra component is used, the driver will get a five-place grid penalty. It means Leclerc should start the race ahead of Verstappen as the Dutchman has taken more components. 

It means Leclerc should start the race ahead of Verstappen as the Dutchman has taken more components. It will be the second time this season the Ferrari star has started from the back of the grid after taking penalties in Canada. 

Leclerc managed to fight back to fifth and was in contention for a podium after a late race safety car. This will be the first back of the grid start for Verstappen who has so far avoided any major penalties this season.

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He took a 10 place penalty for changes in Hungary but managed to still come through to claim victory. However, the back of the grid is set to be busy on Sunday with several other drivers also taking new parts.

Valtteri Bottas and Mick Schumacher will also be penalised for exceeding their allowance of gearbox components. 

Bottas will also be hit with further penalties for swapping out engine components. Lando Norris and Esteban Ocon will also be punished after exceeding their internal combustion engine, MGU-K and MGU-H allowances. 

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