Yuki Tsunoda set to start from the back of the grid at the Belgian Grand Prix

Yuki Tsunoda should start the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix in last position following Red Bull’s decision to provide him with a brand new engine for this weekend’s race at Spa-Francorchamps.

According to information obtained by Autosport, Tsunoda – who had reached the limit of his engine parts allocation, except for the exhausts – received a new Honda power unit. This common strategy allows to take penalties on tracks where overtaking is easier.

At Red Bull, Max Verstappen should also use a new internal combustion engine this weekend, after losing a new engine due to an electrical system problem during free practice 2 in Hungary. Verstappen will be penalized 10 places on the grid at Spa for this ICE element change, while Tsunoda, with a brand new engine, will have to start from the back of the grid, in accordance with the F1 rules.

Daniel Ricciardo, on the other hand, has the same number of used engine parts as Tsunoda and also faces a grid penalty if he uses new parts (apart from exhausts). However, he should not receive a new engine in Spa at this stage.

“« Yuki will be moving to the back here, with a fifth PU [of the season] », declared Alan Permane, race director of Red Bull, at Spa. « For Ricciardo, we will definitely wait to see what happens in the next few races. »

Interviewed Thursday about the importance of the Spa weekend for his future, Tsunoda replied: “I suppose that for Red Bull drivers, except for Max, all races are crucial. I have gotten used to it and I am just doing my normal race. If you look at my previous races, starting from the first one, you can clearly see how much I am proving something on the tracks. The number of appearances in Q3, the number of points taken on each track – I think I have proven enough, you know. Of course, this race will also be important. We’ll see how it goes, but yes.”