Pastor Maldonado was to blame for his second-lap retirement, according to Lotus trackside operations director, Alan Permane.
The Venezuelan has finished just four races this season, scoring in only two.
During the Belgian Grand Prix, Permane explained that Maldonado’s off at Eau Rouge damaged the car, resulting in it coming to a halt along the Kemmel Straight.
“Maldonado’s retirement was self-inflicted,” said Permane. “He had a huge off at Eau Rouge. That damaged the clutch-control system.
“The valves were damaged and that locked his clutch out. That’s why he couldn’t get back.”
It follows a heavy crash during practice which Maldonado described as “very unlucky”.
Meanwhile team-mate Romain Grosjean went on to finish third, scoring the teams first podium since 2013.
