It means Hamilton may now choose to run only once in qualifying – he has to set at least one competitive time – with his grid position for Sunday’s race already sealed.
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Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steers his auto during the first practice session at the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix circuit in Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium, Friday, Aug. 26, 2016.
German Nico Hulkenberg was third-fastest for Force India ahead of his compatriot Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari, Mexican Sergio Perez in the second Force India and championship contender Nico Rosberg of Mercedes.
Rosberg will now hope to go on and win the race and hope Hamilton can’t get into the points, as he will start from 22nd place on the grid having been hit with numerous engine penalties, amounting to 55 grid places. Last time Hamilton started in last place in China he finished seventh, but he is not convinced he will be able to repeat or better that feat at Spa-Francorchamps.
After nearly two years of Hamilton dominance, they said, the team had clearly decided this was the turn of Nico Rosberg to share some of the Silver Arrows’ success-the German quickly established a 43-point lead with victories in each of the opening four races.
A series of engine failures left Hamilton with just one unit in his permitted allowance for the rest of the season. “They could even come down with that”. The qualifying super-softs look to have very few race laps in them and the front runners will have to pit early.
Hamilton now has three new, updated power units to see him through the Belgian GP weekend and the eight events that follow.
The 55-place drop equals the record grid penalty handed to Alonso at last year’s race in Spa, when his Mclaren teammate Jenson Button also picked up a 50-place penalty under the complex system.
The Renault’s of Kevin Magnussen and Jolyon Palmer are in 12th and 13th respectively. The accumulation of changes at Spa has resulted in a 30-place grid penalty.
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Sauber, who have brought considerable upgrades to their auto, placed Felipe Nasr in 16th, while Marcus Ericsson, who has a 10-place penalty for replacing his turbo charger, will start in 20th.
