Agencies
Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium), August 25: Lewis Hamilton will start Sunday’s Belgian Formula One (F1) Grand Prix from near the back of the grid as the World Championship leader takes a hefty grid penalty for exceeding his allowed allocation of engine components.
“As far as I’m aware, we will be taking the penalty this weekend,” the Mercedes driver told reporters at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit here Thursday. “I have no engines left.”
Just how many places he will drop for Sunday’s grid, however, remains unclear with a team spokesman saying that the Briton was expected to start at the back or very close to the back of the grid.
Hamilton holds a 19-point lead in the standings over teammate Nico Rosberg with nine of a record 21 races still to run. The Briton has won six of the last seven Grands Prix and heads into the weekend gunning to become only the third driver in history to score a landmark 50th career win.
The regulations allow drivers five penalty-free changes of six different components before grid penalties of up to 15 places are handed out – a situation that Hamilton doesn’t relish, but has no option but to accept.
“I’ve had ups and downs before, but I think this has definitely been harder because it hasn’t felt so much like fault from me not being focused, or me not training, or taking the time,” stated the drivers’ leader at present.
