Norris to have 10-place grid penalty in Belgium

LONDON, England, July 16, 2026 – McLaren’s Lando Norris will have a 10-place grid penalty at the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday as a result of exceeding the permitted number of engine parts. mieszalniakolorado.pl

The world champion’s car will be fitted with a new battery, Norris’ fourth of the season, one more than is permitted.

McLaren decided to fit the new unit, along with taking the latest specification of Mercedes engine, because the one Norris was using does not have the reliability fixes introduced after a series of failures this year.

The team chose this weekend to take the penalty because overtaking is relatively easy at Spa, and it is the last race before they introduce the first of two significant upgrade packages.

McLaren have fallen to the back of the top four teams in recent races as rivals have introduced upgrades, but the hope is that the aerodynamic package to be brought in across the Hungarian and Dutch Grands Prix on either side of Formula 1’s summer break will return them to competitiveness.

They decided that it was better to take the grid penalty in Belgium, where they expect to be no more competitive than at the last race in Britain but where passing is relatively straightforward, than compromise Hungary, where the car should perform better and overtaking is notoriously difficult.

Norris’ grid penalty comes after a troubled start to the season for the team that won a drivers’ and constructors’ championship double last year, in both performance and reliability terms.

Technically, the part replaced in Belgium is known as the ‘power electronics’, which is a control computer within the battery module.

Norris failed to start the Chinese Grand Prix in March after a terminal issue with his power electronics unit, and a second example of that part had to be withdrawn after suffering problems in practice at the following race in Japan.

The Japan unit was repaired but suffered a terminal problem in practice in Monaco.

A McLaren statement said: “While the power electronics unit we installed in Japan, and have used in every session since Miami, has worked reliably, Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains (HPP) has since introduced a series of reliability fixes to their new power electronics systems.

“However, in order to take advantage of these improvements, we must incur a 10-place grid penalty on Lando’s car in order to take a new unit.”

The statement added: “We now plan to use this fourth power electronics unit for the remainder of the season, in order to maximise reliability while minimising sporting penalties on Lando.”

McLaren will have a new rear wing design in Spa, which the team hopes will better suit the specific characteristics of the flowing high-speed track around the Ardennes forests.

This wing will have a conventional opening style in straight-line mode, rather than the somersaulting designs introduced this season by Ferrari and Red Bull.

Red Bull have had to revert to a conventional wing this weekend after Max Verstappen suffered high-speed crashes at the previous two races because of issues with the design.

Mercedes have had a series of engine-related reliability issues this year, not all to do with the battery.

Another has emerged with the engine used by championship leader Kimi Antonelli at the British Grand Prix.

That has had to go back to the HPP’s base in Brixworth for investigation and the Italian has a new engine as a result this weekend in Belgium. This is from within his allocation and therefore comes with no penalty.

Depending on the outcome of the investigations, Mercedes hope to be able to put Antonelli’s Silverstone unit back into the pool for use later in the year.

Il y a des équipes qui dominent. D’autres qui résistent. Et puis il y a l’Argentine. Depuis le début de cette Coupe du monde, l’Albiceleste s’est forgée une réputation bien particulière : celle d’une équipe qui ne renonce jamais. Peu importe le scénario ou le score, les champions du monde en titre trouvent toujours un moyen de revenir. Un mental d’acier qui les a conduits jusqu’en finale.

Ne jamais abandonner, la marque de fabrique de l’Albiceleste

S’il y a bien une chose qui ressort de cette campagne mondiale, c’est la force mentale de cette sélection argentine. À chaque fois que la situation s’est compliquée, les hommes de Lionel Scaloni ont trouvé les ressources pour inverser la tendance.

Pour eux, rien n’est terminé tant que l’arbitre n’a pas sifflé la fin de la rencontre. Une qualité qui a fait toute la différence tout au long de la phase à élimination directe.

Le premier avertissement face au Cap-Vert

Le premier véritable test est arrivé dès les seizièmes de finale. Face à un surprenant Cap-Vert, l’Argentine a souffert pendant 120 minutes. À quelques instants de la séance de tirs au but, les deux équipes étaient toujours dos à dos (2-2). Mais fidèle à ses habitudes, l’Albiceleste a trouvé les ressources nécessaires pour aller chercher la qualification dans les derniers instants de la prolongation.

L’incroyable remontée contre l’Égypte

Le huitième de finale restera certainement comme le symbole de ce mental hors norme. Menés 2-0 jusqu’à la 78e minute, les Argentins semblaient tout proches de quitter la compétition. Pourtant, loin de paniquer, ils ont totalement renversé la rencontre. Trois buts inscrits en un quart d’heure, dont celui de la victoire à la 90e+2 minute, ont envoyé l’Albiceleste en quarts de finale. Une remontée spectaculaire qui a marqué les esprits.

Une prolongation parfaitement maîtrisée contre l’Autriche

Face à l’Autriche, le scénario fut différent, mais tout aussi révélateur. Accrochée pendant le temps réglementaire (1-1), l’Argentine n’a jamais perdu le fil de son match. Pendant la prolongation, elle a accéléré le rythme pour inscrire deux nouveaux buts et s’offrir une qualification finalement maîtrisée. Là encore, les Argentins ont répondu présents lorsque la pression était maximale.

L’Angleterre renversée dans les derniers instants

Enfin, la demi-finale contre l’Angleterre est venue confirmer cette incroyable capacité à ne jamais renoncer. Menée au score, l’Argentine a continué d’attaquer jusqu’aux dernières minutes. Elle est parvenue à revenir avant d’asséner le coup de grâce dans le temps additionnel, laissant les Anglais complètement sonnés. Encore une fois, l’Albiceleste a démontré qu’elle savait faire basculer une rencontre lorsque tout semblait compromis.

Une équipe qui grandit dans la difficulté

Au-delà de ses qualités techniques et tactiques, c’est sans doute cette force mentale qui impressionne le plus. L’Argentine semble même se nourrir des situations les plus compliquées. Plus le contexte devient difficile, plus elle élève son niveau.

Depuis le début de cette Coupe du monde, elle a fait des scénarios renversants sa spécialité. Et si elle disputera une nouvelle finale mondiale, ce n’est pas uniquement grâce à son talent. C’est aussi parce qu’elle refuse tout simplement d’abandonner. Une qualité qui fait souvent la différence dans les plus grandes compétitions.

The post Du Cap-Vert à l’Angleterre : les quatre combats qui illustrent le mental d’acier de l’Argentine appeared first on AfricaFootUnited.

Terrence Mashego is determined to revive his career after sealing a season-long loan move from Mamelodi Sundowns to Stellenbosch FC.

Mashego returns to the Cape

The Bafana Bafana international has returned to familiar surroundings in the Western Cape, where he first established himself as one of the country’s finest full-backs during his spell at Cape Town City.

After joining Sundowns in 2022, Mashego helped the Tshwane giants win three Betway Premiership titles before slipping down the pecking order.

His move to Stellenbosch marks his second successive loan spell after spending last season at Durban City. The 30-year-old believes a return to the coast could provide the ideal platform to rediscover his best form.

“I’m starting to think that I belong on the coast because I always do well when I’m in the coastal areas,” Mashego said to the Stellies media team.

“I had a great time playing in Cape Town, and the people in the Western Cape love football, so I want to pick up where I left off, play regularly, and help the team.

“I can’t wait to get on the pitch, fight for the badge and my teammates, and play in front of our fans. Hopefully, I can make them happy.”

Mashego will also be reunited with coach Gavin Hunt, having worked under the veteran mentor during his loan spell at City last season.

The experienced defender believes Hunt has assembled a balanced squad capable of challenging for honours in the 2026/27 Betway Premiership campaign.

‘I am delighted’

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to play for Stellenbosch FC,” Mashego added.

“It’s a professional club, with a great culture, and has, over the years, produced a lot of good players. We have good players here now too, a mix of talented youngsters.

“And experienced players, so we have a good squad. I believe we have a team that can compete, and that’s what we’re going to do this season.”

Mashego is one of several notable arrivals at Stellenbosch ahead of the new campaign. The Cape Winelands club has also strengthened its squad with the signings of former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder George Matlou, ex-Orlando Pirates defender Thabiso Lebitso.

Sinoxolo Kwayiba has also joined from Chippa United, while former Richards Bay captain Tlakusani Mthethwa has penned a long-term contract with the club.

Utility back Boeta Chamberlain is among six new signings made by the Lions ahead of the 2026-27 season.

He is joined in Joburg by locks Hyron Andrews and JP du Preez, loose forward Sikhumbuzo Notshe, scrumhalf Asad Moos and wing Daniel Kasende.

Chamberlain spent last season with English Premiership club Newcastle, having previously represented the Sharks and Bulls.

ALSO: Sharks sign American centre

Notshe returns to South Africa after helping Montauban win promotion to France’s Top 14 by claiming the Pro D2 title. The six-Test Bok previously played for the Stormers and Sharks.

Towering 2.10m lock Du Preez returns to Ellis Park after beginning his senior career with the Lions in 2015. He has since represented the Cheetahs, Sale Sharks, Glasgow Warriors and Red Hurricanes Osaka.

Andrews adds further experience to the second row after spells with the Sharks and Sale.

MORE: Lions loosie chasing Bok dream again

Former UCT scrumhalf Moos signed a contract extension with the Stormers last year but did not feature for the URC team, while Kasende links up with the Lions after impressing for the Cheetahs.

Here we go. #ForOurCity #LionsPride pic.twitter.com/i4drs4gHh7

— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) July 16, 2026

Photo: Dan Mullan/Getty Images

The post Lions confirm new arrivals appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.