Lewis Hamilton will be forced to start the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix from the pitlane after Ferrari made extensive power unit changes on his car in breach of parc ferme rules.
He will be joined by Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, who also exceeded the allocated engine component limits for the season — as well as Carlos Sainz for set-up changes to his Williams car.
Hamilton suffered a Q1 exit as the struggles continue for the seven-time World Champion on his side of the Ferrari garage.
A document released by the FIA stated that the British driver, alongside Alonso and Antonelli, had exceeded their season allocation by taking a fifth internal combustion engine, turbocharger, MGU-H, and MGU-K — one more than the four permitted under the regulations.
Only Hamilton, however, also took a third energy store and a third set of control electronics — exceeding the season limit of two — along with a new exhaust system.
The report also confirmed: “Changes have been made to the set-up of the suspension of car number 44.”
As a result, the FIA concluded: “Car numbers 44, 12 and 14 should now be required to start the race from the pit lane according to Article 40.9 b) of the 2025 Formula One Sporting Regulations.”
The FIA F1 Technical Delegate, Jo Bauer, concluded in his report: “All in this document listed PU elements have been replaced without the approval of the FIA technical delegate.
“Also changes have been made to the set up of the suspension of car number 44. Therefore car numbers 44, 12 and 14 should now be required to start the race from the pit lane according to Article 40.9 b) of the 2025 Formula One Sporting Regulations.”
Sainz is the fourth driver to start from the pitlane after Williams made set-up changes to his FW47.
The Spaniard will be at the front of the queue in the pitlane as he qualified higher than Hamilton, Antonelli and Alonso — Lance Stroll will be the last car on the grid for the race.
READ MORE — Lewis Hamilton apologises to Ferrari for ‘unacceptable’ F1 Belgian GP Q1 exit
Discussion about this post