As widely expected, Lewis Hamilton will take a grid penalty for Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix.

Shortly after this morning's session got underway, Nico Rosberg taking to the track sporting a Halo device, Mercedes took to social media.

"Fresh power units this morning for both Hamilton and Rosberg," the German team tweeted. "For Hamilton, this comprises ICE 4, MGU-K 4, MGU-H 6 and TC 6. This incurs a 15 place grid penalty. For Rosberg it is his 4th of all those items."

However, the Briton's plight is further compromised by the fact that the team intends introducing an engine update, possibly at Suzuka, which would require further components and thereby further penalties with only a few tracks remaining where, like Spa, the world champion could be reasonably expected to make up a decent number of places.

Indeed, in light of the nature of some of the upcoming tracks it is believed Hamilton might yet take on a seventh turbocharger and MGU-H this weekend to add to his pool, the feeling being that starting from the back of the grid here is pretty much the same as starting 15th.

Having left it so late confirming this first component change, it is believed the Brackley-based outfit could adopt a similar for FP2 and possibly even FP3.

Meanwhile, a sixth turbocharger for Marcus Ericsson means the Sauber driver will also incur a grid penalty.

Check out our Friday gallery from Spa, here.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Ro, 26/08/2016 15:45

"The way these rules are is just a plain joke. Its not who is the fastest any more, most of the overtaking is now done in the pits. Please bring back naturally aspirated engines , limit the technological side, limit the size and SHAPE of the wings, both front and rear. F1 as it is today is a very poor and boring series....spectators dont have a clue as to whats going on during a race, its the car manufacturers that are ruining it"

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2. Posted by edllorca, 26/08/2016 13:54

"just a trubo assembly adds 15 places! it not like its a whole motor or tranny, turbos used to be considered a bolt on part. These rules have pretty much nothing to do with racing anymore. Getting tired of road car relevance and manufacturers with non racing agendas."

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3. Posted by vectis, 26/08/2016 10:13

"looks like hamilton won't take the maximum number of replacements allowed by the rules in order to ensure that rosberg keeps his advantage "

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Official: Hamilton takes 15-place grid penalty

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