Verstappen springboard to undo penalty damage

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.

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."

Verstappen searching for small gains

Verstappen began the day aware of how his weekend would play out but there was no change to his approach, adding: "Not so much really has changed.

"We just looked at how we could set up the car in the best possible way and I think as soon as we went out, the car was looking pretty well.

"There are always little things that you want to fine-tune with balance but after the first run, I was happy with the car."

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