News
Alonso set for back of the grid start in the US Grand Prix after changing PU components
Alpine have revealed Fernando Alonso has taken a complete fresh power unit for the remainder of the United States Grand Prix weekend, which exceeds his allocation and triggers a grid penalty that will confine him to a back of the grid start.
The Spaniard had a tricky Friday, first losing a significant amount of track time after an operational issue forced him to stop out on track in FP1 (see the clip below), then spinning at the end of the second session as he struggled to get comfortable with the car.
During final practice in Austin on Saturday morning, Alpine revealed the double world champion has installed a fourth internal combustion engine – drivers are only permitted three per season.
They have also taken fresh sets of all other components – turbo, MGU-H, MGU-K, energy store and control electronics.
That means he’ll join Williams’ George Russell and Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel at the back, after the duo were hit with penalties for changing their Mercedes power unit components.
It comes after Valtteri Bottas took a new internal combustion engine – his sixth of the season, which has incurred a five-place grid penalty for Sunday’s Grand Prix.
READ MORE: Mercedes 'trying to get on top of engine problems' as they weigh up Hamilton PU penalty
This feature is currently not available because you need to provide consent to functional cookies. Please update your
2021 United States GP FP1: Mechanical issue forces Alonso to stop out on track
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
News FIA Thursday press conference – China
Video WATCH: Go onboard with Norris for his stunning wet pole lap during Sprint qualifying in Shanghai
Live BlogF1 Unlocked AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the build-up ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix weekend
News ‘Like driving on ice’ – Verstappen admits P4 grid slot ‘not ideal’ after challenging Sprint Qualifying in China