Can Lewis Hamilton win from the back of the grid?

Lewis Hamilton will be aiming to do something no Formula 1 driver has ever done this weekend - win a race from the back of the grid.

Mercedes have triggered multiple engine penalties for Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix, a tactical decision which means Hamilton will have to scythe through the field to lose as little of his 19-point lead as possible.

After three new engines were used on his car this weekend at Spa, Hamilton has been relegated to the back row alongside Fernando Alonso.

While Hamilton says he is "excited by the challenge", the lowest starting position for any of the Englishman's 49 F1 victories is sixth at the British GP in July 2014.

A month later, the Englishman finished third in the Hungarian GP after starting from the pitlane while he has scored points both times he has lined up at the back of the grid.

At the Spanish GP in 2012, the then-McLaren driver battled back to eighth while at this year's Chinese GP Hamilton finished seventh despite damaging his W07 at the first corner.

"Realistically, the likelihood is very, very minimal," Hamilton said of his victory hopes. "Never say never, I'm going to go for it, but it's unlikely."

While no driver has ever won from dead last, Hamilton could also take inspiration from a number of stunning comeback drivers in Formula 1.

The victory from the lowest position remains John Watson's effort at the US Grand Prix West in 1983 when the Brit led a McLaren one-two ahead of Niki Lauda after starting 22nd out of 26 drivers.

Rubens Barrichello's effort from 18th at 2000's German GP also deserves recognition, as well as more modern efforts from Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso.