Sainz, Hamilton, Antonelli, Alonso to start Belgian GP from pits

Four drivers will start the Belgian Grand Prix from the pit lane after multiple power unit penalties and setup changes.

Carlos Sainz is the highest-placed driver from the qualifying order who has made changes, with mechanical and aerodynamic setup changes made to his Williams that require a pit lane start rather than his 15th-place grid spot. Sainz had made it through to Q2 on Saturday, and is joined by three Q1 casualties in the pit lane.

Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Antonelli and Fernando Alonso originally qualified 16th, 18th and 19th respectively, but all three have taken new power units that demand a pit lane start for breaking parc ferme regulations. The new power units also mean the trio exceed their limits for the season, with their teams taking advantage of the low grid slots to expand the pool.

Sainz will start ahead of Hamilton, Antonelli and Alonso in the pit lane as they qualified in that order, while Franco Colapinto is promoted to 15th place on the grid and Lance Stroll 16th having originally been slowest in qualifying.

After a wet morning at Spa-Francorchamps, a break in the rain has allowed the track to dry considerably in the hours before the race, but more heavy showers are forecast before lights out at 15:00 local time, 9AM ET.