Lando Norris will incur a ten-place grid penalty for the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix. McLaren has opted to fit a fourth power electronics unit to his car ahead of the Spa-Francorchamps event.
Formula 1 regulations for the 2026 season permit the use of three Energy Stores, often referred to as batteries or power electronics units, without penalty. The introduction of a fourth component automatically triggers a grid drop.
This decision by McLaren is a proactive measure aimed at enhancing long-term reliability for Norris’s car. The new unit incorporates specific reliability fixes developed by Mercedes HPP.
Mercedes power units have experienced reliability issues this season, affecting both the factory team and customer outfits. McLaren is addressing these concerns by implementing the latest specification.
Norris has faced significant power unit problems earlier this season. A terminal power electronics failure in China prevented him from starting the race.
Further issues arose in Japan and Monaco, forcing unscheduled component changes. These incidents contributed to the team’s decision to take a penalty now.
McLaren strategically selected Spa-Francorchamps as the venue for the penalty. The circuit offers more overtaking opportunities compared to upcoming rounds such as the Hungaroring and Zandvoort.
The team anticipates that this fourth power electronics unit will provide sufficient reliability to complete the remainder of the 2026 season without further penalties.
Norris currently holds fifth position in the Drivers’ Championship, trailing leader Kimi Antonelli by 82 points. The grid penalty will further complicate his efforts to gain ground.
Oscar Piastri, Norris’s teammate, will also receive the updated power unit components. However, Piastri will not incur a grid penalty.
The 2026 Formula 1 regulations introduced new power unit specifications, emphasizing increased electrification. The Energy Store capacity remains at 4MJ.
McLaren stated: ‘While the power electronics unit we installed in Japan, and have used in every session since Miami, has worked reliably, Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains has since introduced a series of reliability fixes to their new power electronics systems.’
The team confirmed the necessity of incurring the ten-place grid penalty to benefit from these crucial reliability improvements.
