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Norris Takes 10-Place Grid Penalty in Spa After Power Unit Component Swap
McLaren has strategically timed a necessary component change for Lando Norris at the Belgian Grand Prix, triggering a 10-place grid penalty.
By Michael de Vries - 2026-07-16T11:15:04.000Z - 2 min read
Lando Norris has been dealt a major blow ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix. The McLaren driver will drop ten places on the starting grid following qualifying, the team has confirmed. The penalty comes after the installation of a fourth power electronics unit—a core component of the battery module—exceeding the permitted allocation for the season.
The Briton has struggled with reliability issues surrounding this component throughout the season. A fault ruined his start in China, while a second unit had to be withdrawn or replaced after trouble during free practice in Japan and later in Monaco. A grid penalty had therefore been looming for some time.
McLaren deliberately timed the change for Spa-Francorchamps. The team calculates that overtaking is relatively manageable on the fast Ardennes circuit, unlike upcoming races in Hungary and Zandvoort where grid position is far more critical. By fitting a newer specification power unit and battery—which previously debuted at Mercedes and with teammate Piastri—McLaren hopes to avoid further setbacks for the remainder of the campaign.
The ongoing trouble adds to a disappointing season for McLaren, who won the championship last year but have struggled to keep pace with the leaders. Following key upgrades from rivals, the team has slipped down the order. McLaren does, however, bring a new rear wing design to Spa, intended to better suit the circuit's high-speed characteristics.