Isack Hadjar has confirmed that he will start the Belgian Grand Prix from the back of the grid, Red Bull having decided to install new elements of its power unit on his car.
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This announcement comes shortly after McLaren, which confirmed that Lando Norris would receive a ten-place penalty for replacing his electronic control unit.
The first engine designed by Red Bull Powertrains exceeded performance expectations, achieving the best results during the first evaluation of the ADUO (Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities) conducted by the FIA.
Comeback in sight
However, its reliability remains improvable. Like several other engine manufacturers under the new 2026 regulations, Red Bull has encountered several technical problems. Hadjar had already retired at the Australian Grand Prix due to an engine failure, before a new mechanical issue cost him a podium in Monaco.
After nine rounds, the Frenchman had already used almost all of his regulatory quota of components. He was notably running with his fourth battery (Energy Store) and his fourth electronic control unit (Control Electronics), making a penalty almost inevitable.
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Interviewed by Canal+, Hadjar confirmed that he expected to start at the very back of the grid: « The goal will be to focus on race pace. We know this weekend will be less about qualifying performance. We will probably start 22nd. But it is a circuit where overtaking is possible. Many things can happen. We have a good pace, so I really hope to enjoy Sunday.»
Norris also penalized
The Red Bull driver is the second to be penalized this weekend after Lando Norris. McLaren has indeed decided to install the latest evolution of the power electronic system developed by Mercedes High Performance Powertrains. This replacement automatically incurs a ten-place grid penalty, Norris also exceeding the allowed quota.
The British team explained that it had deliberately chosen Spa-Francorchamps to serve this penalty: « Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains has introduced several reliability improvements on its new power electronic system, McLaren said in a statement. To benefit from this, we must install a new unit, which results in a ten-place grid penalty for Lando’s car.»
« We chose to do this in Belgium, a circuit where overtaking is relatively easier than in Hungary or Zandvoort, the team said. Our goal now is to use this fourth unit until the end of the season to maximize reliability while limiting sporting penalties.»
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