Norris takes a hammer blow ahead of Belgian Grand Prix as McLaren's reliability fixes come with a hefty price tag - a 10-place grid penalty that threatens to derail his championship hopes. The reigning Formula One world champion will start deep in the pack after his team opted for a new power electronics unit, which sparked a rulebook tweak from the FIA.
The decision to introduce a fourth power electronics unit was driven by reliability issues earlier this season. Norris's first two units bit the dust - one in China back in March and another during free practice in Monaco last month. However, Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains has since plugged some gaping holes with significant upgrades to their new systems.
McLaren have chosen to bite the bullet and fit the new unit at Spa-Francorchamps, where overtaking opportunities are relatively more plentiful than in the next two races. It's a tactical move aimed at minimising the penalty's impact on Norris's qualifying performance and subsequent charge through the field.
The team's plan is to run this fourth power electronics unit for the remainder of the 2026 season, maximising reliability while limiting potential sporting penalties down the line. But with the grid penalty comes a daunting task - staying competitive in what promises to be an even more challenging championship battle.
Norris will need all his skills and experience to revive his title ambitions after this setback. He's already 82 points adrift of championship leader Kimi Antonelli, who has been pulling away from the pack. Now he faces an uphill struggle - starting deep in the grid and needing a miracle to secure podium points.