SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium (AP) Lewis Hamilton's grid penalty for the Belgian Grand Prix has increased to a whopping 55 places after Mercedes made further engine changes on Saturday.
The defending Formula One champion and current championship leader was already condemned to start from the back of the grid after picking up a 15-place grid penalty in Friday morning's first practice and a further 15 spots following another component change in the afternoon.
Given this, Mercedes took the opportunity to make multiple power unit changes - meaning a further and meaningless 25-place drop in a race of 22 cars - with a view to keeping Hamilton's engine in good shape for the rest of the season.
Hamilton is joined at the back by McLaren driver Fernando Alonso. He's taking a 35-place hit for engine changes.
