Lando Norris will start from a disadvantageous position at the Belgian Grand Prix, as he was handed a ten-place grid penalty, because McLaren decided to make upgrades to his car by installing a new electronic control unit.

Each driver is allowed a total of three, but at Spa, Norris will use a fourth, causing him to exceed the permitted limit and resulting in a penalty.

McLaren chose to make the replacement now to improve the reliability of the British driver’s car, for the additional reason that, unlike the next two races— in Hungary and the Netherlands, overtaking is more feasible at the Spa circuit.

After the first nine Grand Prix races of the season, Norris is fifth in the drivers’ standings with 97 points, while leader Kimi Antonelli has 179.

*photo source: AP