We saw a lot of grid penalties in the Belgian Grand Prix a couple of weeks ago, but this weekend, the grid penalties have grown even more. While 7 drivers saw a grid drop in Belgium resulting in a bizarre starting order where Bottas started P14 despite qualifying P20 and getting a grid penalty on top of that, as many as 9 drivers have received a grid drop penalty this weekend. The reason behind this is that Circuit Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium and Monza in Italy are relatively easy to pass on, and teams are looking to capitalise on that opportunity by adding spare engines to their banks and taking penalties on this weekend, instead of on weekends with tracks where overtaking is difficult, like Circuit Zandvoort in Netherlands, where F1 raced last weekend. The fastest man in qualifying - Charles Leclerc - will still start on pole, but the order behind him has been mixed up. Let's take a look at who has received penalties, and for what reason.
Also Read: F1: Leclerc Storms To Pole At Monza, As Sainz & Verstappen Take Grid Penalties
Charles Leclerc will start the race on Pole.
Max Verstappen qualified P2 yesterday, but a new internal combustion engine (ICE) means that he will start the race in P7, after a 5-place grid drop.
Max Verstappen: 5-Place Grid Penalty.
Drops from P2 to P7.
Changing the internal combustion engine is a popular choice for Monza, thanks to the high top speeds. But since Perez had already used up his 3 allocated ICEs, he is set to take a penalty. This is his first breach though, which means the penalty is a 10-place grid drop instead of a 5. He will start the race in P13, having qualified fourth.
Sergio Perez: 10-Place Grid Penalty.
Drops from P4 to P13
Esteban Ocon has received a 5-place grid penalty for a new ICE, but he drops from P11 only to P14, thanks to penalties to other drivers.
Esteban Ocon: 5-Place Grid Penalty
Drops from P11 to P14
Valtteri Bottas qualified 12th, and despite a 15-place grid penalty, he will see only a 3-place drop and start in P15. This isn't as bizarre as the Belgian GP weekend though, where he started P14 despite qualifying P20 and getting a grid penalty on top of that.
Valtteri Bottas: 15-Place Grid Penalty
Drops from P12 to P15
Yeah, this one is bizarre again. Having qualified P19, Magnussen will start the race in P16 despite a 15-place grid penalty.
Kevin Magnussen: 15-Place Grid Penalty
Goes up from P19 to P16
With 3 drivers receiving back-of-the-grid penalties, Mick Schumacher will start P17 after qualifying in P20.
Mick Schumacher: 15-Place Grid Penalty
Goes up from P17 to P20
Carlos Sainz did well in qualifying, putting his Ferrari in P3 in Ferrari's home race, but a back of the grid penalty will have him start in P18.
Carlos Sainz: Back Of The Grid
Drops from P3 to P18
Lewis Hamilton could only manage P5 in qualifying, which means after his penalty he will start behind Sainz, in P19.
Lewis Hamilton: Back Of The Grid
Drops from P5 to P19
With the most number of penalties of the pack, Yuki Tsunoda will start the Italian GP in the final spot, P20.
Yuki Tsunoda: Back Of The Grid
Drops from P15 to P20
Pos. | Driver | Team |
1 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
2 | George Russel | Mercedes |
3 | Lando Norris | McLaren |
4 | Daniel Ricciardo | McLare |
5 | Pierre Gasly | AlphaTauri |
6 | Fernando Alonso | Alpine |
7 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
8 | Nyck de Vries | Williams |
9 | Zhou Guanyu | Alfa Romeo |
10 | Nicholas Latifi | Williams |
11 | Sebastian Vettel | Aston Martin |
12 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin |
13 | Sergio Perez | Red Bull |
14 | Esteban Ocon | Alpine |
15 | Valtteri Bottas | Alfa Romeo |
16 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas |
17 | Mick Schumacher | Haas |
18 | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari |
19 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes |
20 | Yuki Tsunoda | AlphaTauri |
