Penalties for Carlos Sainz and Stoffel Vandoorne at Spa-Francorchamps

We’re reaching the point in the season where reliability issues begin to have consequences for the drivers. Valtteri Bottas and Nico Hülkenberg started the weekend already knowing they’d be starting from the back of the grid at Spa-Francorchamps. The rollercoaster of the Ardennes isn’t the worst circuit to face such issues, as the numerous straights provide overtaking opportunities.

If Nico Hülkenberg stayed in the pits during Q2 since he had nothing to gain by going further, Mercedes decided to have Valtteri Bottas run so he could act as a hare for Lewis Hamilton during Q3. However, the rain that fell on the circuit nullified this strategy.

In the evening, Renault mechanics were busy installing a second new engine, but this time on Carlos Sainz’s car. The Spaniard complained about a very difficult balance in his car during the qualifying session, despite having been rather at an advantage since the beginning of the weekend. Being eliminated in Q1, the Spaniard didn’t have much to lose. That’s why Renault decided to make this change while also making other modifications to car No. 55 to help the driver regain a balance that would allow him to climb up the rankings.

Stoffel Vandoorne, for his part, experienced a very complicated home weekend, with technical problems affecting his car in almost every session, culminating in his off-track excursion caused by a slow Valtteri Bottas on the racing line during the third free practice session on Saturday morning.

Already last in the qualifications, he will indeed occupy the same position since McLaren has decided to change his engine, which will be able to handle the full demands of Spa, and then Monza next week. That is, if the Belgian driver is still behind the wheel…

From our special correspondent at Spa-Francorchamps