Hadjar to start from the back at the 2026 Belgian GP over power unit

Isack Hadjar will start from the very back of the grid at the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix, scheduled for Sunday at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. Red Bull have decided to fit a series of new power unit elements to the Frenchman's car, exceeding the permitted season allocation and triggering hefty penalties.

According to the official announcement on Thursday 17 July 2026, the team have exceeded the season allocation for the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE), Turbocharger and Exhaust on Hadjar's car. The penalties add up to 30 grid places, which automatically translate into a back-of-the-grid start.

Under the regulations, the first time the allocation of any single element is exceeded, a 10-place grid penalty is applied; from the second time onwards the penalty is five places, with all penalties at the same event applying cumulatively. In addition, a driver who incurs a penalty exceeding 15 grid places is required to start the race at the back regardless of qualifying.

Hadjar, currently eighth in the drivers' standings with 52 points, therefore faces a recovery drive on Sunday afternoon, starting at the rear regardless of where he qualifies on Saturday. Spa-Francorchamps is traditionally one of the preferred venues to serve engine-related penalties, thanks to its abundant overtaking opportunities that make it easier to move back up the order.

Hadjar will not be the only one hit at Spa. McLaren's Lando Norris is also set for a 10-place penalty for exceeding his Control Electronics allocation, while Aston Martin's Lance Stroll has done the same with his Motor Generator Unit-Kinetic (MGU-K).

Sources

• [Formula1.com - Isack Hadjar set for major grid penalty at Belgian Grand Prix](https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/hadjar-set-for-major-grid-penalty-at-belgian-gp.7nsdAK1OslvQjWMCRhU85P)