Can Mercedes Take Their First Win of the Season With Latest Curveball Thrown To F1 Frontrunners Max Verstappen & Charles Leclerc?

The wait is over and we can finally witness some Formula 1 action again! For this weekend, the circus travels to Spa-Francorchamps for the Belgian Grand Prix. Apart from the Grand Prix itself, Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari might make the weekend more exciting.

Most teams will bring upgrades at the Belgian GP, as is the case after most summer breaks. However, after the events of the first half, there might be penalties levied on certain upgrades for certain teams. This is where things get interesting for frontrunners: Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes.

According to reports from AutoMotorUndSport’s F1 reporter Tobi Gruner, several drivers on the grid will receive penalties. As reported by Gruner, the penalties are mainly for the usage of new power units. The first half of the season plagued teams like Ferrari and Red Bull with power unit issues.

Both team’s championship contenders Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen have already picked a 10-place grid penalty already. However, according to Gruner, the two are among the drivers picking up another set of power unit-based grid penalties at Spa. However, the final decision will be made after the Friday practice sessions.

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Ferrari’s unreliability has been the talk of the season so far and that will probably continue in the second half as well. According to Gruner, Ferrari’s engine consumer Haas will concede a grid penalty for a new power unit. The driver to bite the bullet for the race will be Mick Schumacher. However, Haas is also bringing an upgraded package at Spa. It’ll be interesting to see how Schumacher makes the most of it.

However, what do these grid penalties mean for Mercedes?

Grid penalties might spell a win for Mercedes at the Belgian Grand Prix

People in the Silver Arrows’ garage must be rubbing their hands in anticipation after the grid penalty reports. Grid penalties for chief rivals Verstappen and Leclerc will be an enormous boost for Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.

Both Mercedes men have been consistently and steadily improving ever since the Spanish GP. Hamilton, especially, has shown significant improvement in the last five races before the summer break with consistent podium finishes.

Russell started the Hungarian GP on pole and finished P3 whereas Hamilton started seventh and finished P2. The two have undoubtedly been ending closer to the leading pack of Red Bull and Ferrari, but there has always been a slight gap.

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However, the incredible run leading up to the Belgian GP coupled with the grid penalties might finally end their winless slump.