Hadjar to Start from Back of Grid at Belgian GP as Red Bull Shelves 'Macarena' Wing

Isack Hadjar will start from the back of the grid at the Belgian Grand Prix after Red Bull fitted a new power unit to his car, a change the Frenchman confirmed Thursday. Despite the penalty, Hadjar expects an entertaining Sunday at Spa-Francorchamps, where overtaking opportunities abound.

Why it matters:

Grid penalties are mounting at the front of the field. Hadjar joins McLaren's Lando Norris in taking a hit this weekend, with Norris serving a 10-place drop after his team exceeded its seasonal allocation of power electronics units. McLaren deliberately chose Spa for the penalty to exploit its passing-friendly layout, avoiding stricter circuits like Hungary and Zandvoort. For Red Bull, the weekend also brings a significant aerodynamic adjustment as the team manages reliability concerns.

The details:

• Hadjar's demotion: The Red Bull rookie told Canal+ that a full power unit change relegates him to the rear of the grid regardless of qualifying performance.
• McLaren's call: The Woking outfit will run a fourth power electronics unit on Norris's car for the remainder of the season, accepting the Belgian GP penalty to minimize future sporting consequences.
• 'Macarena' wing benched: Red Bull shelved its controversial rear wing after it caused two incidents for Max Verstappen. Hadjar told reporters the swap looks dramatic but costs less performance than expected, adding that the team is working to return the wing safely.
• Team issue: Hadjar admitted he was lucky to avoid the wing problems, noting that Verstappen's misfortune was a shared concern that needed a collective fix.

What's next:

Red Bull will run a conventional rear wing at Spa while engineers work to make the 'Macarena' design safe for reintroduction. With Hadjar starting from the back and Norris dropping 10 places, the front of the Belgian Grand Prix grid is unusually disrupted, potentially creating opportunities for rivals to seize crucial championship points.