2016 Belgian Grand Prix

Championship standings

Hamilton leads Rosberg by 19 points. Red Bull Racing has passed Ferrari in the Constructors’ standings.

Previous race

Hamilton won Germany for his fourth consecutive victory, extending his championship lead to 19 points. Ricciardo finished second ahead of Verstappen. Rosberg slipped to fourth after a time penalty for forcing Verstappen off the track.

Between-race developments

Rio Haryanto has lost his race seat after his sponsors were unable to meet their financial obligations to MRT. He remains with the team in a testing and reserve role. Esteban Ocon, the 2015 GP3 Series champion and Renault test driver, replaces him and makes his Formula One debut.

Penalties

Hamilton receives a 60-place grid penalty — effectively starting last — after Mercedes deliberately introduces multiple new power unit components, including a seventh turbocharger and MGU-H. Mercedes regards Spa’s overtaking opportunities as sufficient to offset the penalties and wants to stockpile components for the remainder of the season. Fernando Alonso also receives a 60-place penalty for McLaren’s sixth complete power unit. Marcus Ericsson carries a ten-place penalty for a new turbocharger.

Esteban Gutiérrez carries a five-place penalty for dangerous driving in FP3 when Pascal Wehrlein was forced to cross the grassy verge inside Raidillon to avoid contact.

On race day, Mercedes removes a seal on Hamilton’s gearbox so he can fit a new gearbox at the next race, adding a further five-place penalty.

Tyres

Pirelli brings the super-soft, soft and medium compounds. Teams also receive two sets of “prototype” soft tyres for use in practice — a more durable version designed to trial improvements ahead of their competitive debut in Malaysia.

Car upgrades

Both Honda and Mercedes have introduced power unit upgrades. Sauber brings their first chassis updates of the season to the C35.