Lewis Hamilton has confirmed he will accept a grid penalty at this weekend's Belgian F1 Grand Prix.

The punishment is related to engine issues and he is likely to be given at least a 10-place demotion.

"As far as l am aware we will be taking a penalty this weekend," he told reporters.

He and his team had envisaged taking the grid penalty - which was a consequence of reliability issues that plagued him at the start of the season - in Belgium or at the Italian Grand Prix.

Hamilton leads Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg by 19 points in the drivers' championship.

To gain at least one point at Spa, Hamilton would need to finish 10th in Sunday's Grand Prix.