Lewis Hamilton given 15-place grid penalty for Belgian Grand Prix

The British driver, who currently has a 19-point advantage over his competitors in the driver standings, has used the maximum number of engine part changes before incurring a penalty.

Mercedes had previously suggested they would prefer to take the penalty at Monza, later in the season, but Hamilton has been forced to switch some more parts in Spa.

Speaking before the confirmation of the penalty, Hamilton said: "As far as I’m aware we will be taking the engine penalty this weekend.

“In terms of winning, that’s the goal, but it’s going to be very, very hard.

“The gap has closed between other cars in the third year of evolution of these cars. Red Bull have been very quick, won some of the races. Same with Ferrari, particularly, and down the whole grid. So it’s going to be harder than it was the year before to climb through the field."

"I'll do everything I can to minimise the impact [the ban] will have," Hamilton added. "Beyond that penalty I plan to continue the momentum I had before the break."

Hamilton is on the hunt for his third straight F1 title after wins in 2014 and 2015.

Meanwhile, it was announced on Friday Fernando Alonso will also incur a grid penalty after the Spaniard's McLaren team replaced his power-unit with a fresh one following Friday's opening practice session.

The double world champion and his team mate Jenson Button switched to the fifth of their permitted five power units heading into the weekend with engine-supplier Honda introducing an updated version.

But Alonso's sprung a water leak during Friday morning's 90-minute practice session, limiting him to just three laps with no time on the board.

The new power unit, which will cost Alonso 35 places on the grid, is of the same updated specification Honda has introduced this weekend.

Marcus Ericsson will also drop 10 places on Sunday's grid, after his Sauber team fitted a sixth turbocharger to his Ferrari-powered car.