By the Formula One Rules and Regulations, drivers may only use a limited amount of engines components through the season. Due to a string of unreliability early in the season, Lewis has used all 5 of his limit for MGU-H and turbo units. The penalties for using more than the allotted components is a grid spot demotion, dependent on the number of units being switched.

As of today’s press conference, neither Mercedes nor Lewis could confirm the number of components being switched or the resulting penalty.

“As far as I am aware we will be taking a penalty here this weekend, yes… I have no engines left.” – Lewis Hamilton

This should welcome news to the whole grid, but most importantly Nico Rosberg who could use all the help he can get in closing the points gap to Hamilton, his Mercedes teammate. While Lewis has won twice at Spa, Nico Rosberg has never won. However, Spa can be a surprising place and the speed from the rest of the competitors will factor as well.

“it’s still going to be a challenge because if we remember just four weeks ago I finished behind two Red Bulls in the race. So I still need to beat all the opposition – and even Lewis.” – Nico Rosberg

One of the classic rivalries in our sport was between Michael Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen, and that rivalry intensified in 2000. Schumacher, already a 2-time world champion with Bennetton, had been nursing Ferrari back to health for 5 years without a world championship. Mika Hakkinen was the 2-time defending world champion with McLaren and was showing no signs of slowing down.

Coming into this race Mika held a solid points lead and was looking to expand on that lead and clinch a 3rd straight title. He scored the pole position but fell back behind Michael later in the race after pit stop cycles. A chase ensued and it culminated in this moment, giving Hakkinen the lead and undoubtedly scaring the Bejeezus out of Ricardo Zonta.

Mika would go on to win the race, but Michael would dominate each race for the rest of the season, giving him his 3rd championship and this first of five straight championships with Ferrari. Just one of many epic moments between two of our sport’s best.