Max Verstappen springboard to undo penalty damage

Belgian Grand Prix

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Verstappen springboard to undo penalty damage

Verstappen has a back-of-the-grid penalty for the Belgian Grand Prix

Sam Hall

Friday 26 August 2022 18:47 Updated: 20:15

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Max Verstappen believes he has given himself the perfect springboard to scythe his way through Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix field after being hit with a back-of-the-grid penalty.

The Dutchman is one of six drivers to take a substantial number of new power unit and/or gearbox components this weekend, taking him beyond the prescribed limit of parts for the season.

F1 title rival Charles Leclerc is another on the list, with the two now facing a battle in qualifying to avoid starting on the back row.

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Verstappen can take solace, however, from his early pace this weekend as he topped second practice by a staggering 0.862secs from the Ferrari driver.

Asked how hopeful he was of being able to make his way through the field on Sunday, Verstappen said: "That's what we will try. We have to.

"From the laps we did, I think the car was working well and that's positive. Of course, I would have liked to have run a little bit more but so far it has been a good start."