Hadjar handed significant penalty ahead of Belgian Grand Prix

Isack Hadjar took a hit after exceeding the maximum allocation of engine changes, with the Red Bull driver set to start from the back of the grid.

A tough start to the weekend for Hadjar. Photo credits: Formula 1

Another two big penalties have been handed out ahead of Formula One’s tenth round taking place in the Ardennes hills around the historic track of Spa-Francorchamps. Lando Norris was handed a 10-place grid drop after fitting a new battery in his MCL40, his fourth of the season. 

Following the news, Isack Hadjar and Lance Stroll are next to be handed penalties. Hadjar is set for a long race on Sunday, as Red Bull has exceeded the season’s maximum allowance (which is four) for Internal Combustion Engine, Turbocharger and exhaust, meaning the Frenchman will start from the back of the grid. The Aston Martin took his fourth MGU-K of the season, meaning he received a 10-place grid drop.

While a grid penalty is never taken lightly, the Spa-Francorchamps circuit is the preferred location, as several overtaking opportunities are present throughout the track. 

Hadjar has been on a strong run of results, with the 22-year-old finishing in the top six five consecutive times, with the driver narrowly missing out on a podium back in Monaco. Due to the penalty, Hadjar isn’t too confident he can add another top result to his tally but is looking forward to the challenge of driving around the landmark track:

"This weekend, I think another top-six finish is going to be difficult given where I'm starting from, but we'll give it a go," Hadjar told Canal+ following the news of the grid-drop. 

"The main focus will be on race pace. It won't be as much about qualifying performance, because we already know what to expect.

"We'll probably start 22nd on the grid, but Spa is a track where you can overtake. A lot can happen, and we know we've got decent race pace. So I'm expecting to have some fun on Sunday."

The Red Bull pair took to the track for the opening practice session, where they turned heads as Max Verstappen topped the timing sheets ahead of the Ferrari duo. Hadjar slotted into fourth, only two-tenths behind his teammate. 

But the significant story from the 60-minute practice was both of the Mercedes being well off the pace, with championship leader Kimi Antonelli in sixth and George Russell down in eighth. 

Despite Laurent Mekies' lacklustre view of the weekend, both of the Red Bulls have come out on pace, a positive result following a season of hardships. While practice is to be taken with a grain of salt, the Red Bull garage will be hoping to build on the result and aim for their first race victory of the season on Sunday.