Norris joins penalty recipients with battery change
Lando Norris receives a 10-place grid penalty for the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix after McLaren fitted a fourth battery to his car ahead of the Spa weekend. The change exceeds the seasonal allocation for power unit elements and triggers the automatic drop from qualifying position. McLaren confirmed the installation to incorporate reliability improvements.
Norris incurs 10-place grid penalty
Lando Norris will start the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix from 10 places behind his qualifying position after McLaren installed a fourth battery in his car ahead of the Spa-Francorchamps weekend.[1][2]
The power electronics unit counts as one of the seasonal elements limited under Formula 1 regulations. Exceeding the allocation of three units per season without penalty triggers the automatic 10-place drop.[3]
McLaren confirmed the change on Thursday. The team installed the new component to take advantage of reliability improvements developed by Mercedes High Performance Powertrains.
Background on battery usage
Fitting the fourth battery now shifts the penalty to Spa rather than a later round. The team expects the new unit to last through the remainder of the campaign.
Penalty implications at Spa
Other drivers have received similar penalties for power unit element changes this season.
Related reading
- [1]Norris gets grid penalty for Belgian GP (the-race). Accessed 2026-07-18.
- [2]Lando Norris: McLaren driver to take 10-place grid penalty at Belgian GP for exceeding power unit element limits (skysports). Accessed 2026-07-18.
- [3]Lando Norris hit with 10-place grid penalty for Belgian GP (espn). Accessed 2026-07-18.