Alonso and Stroll Face Grid Penalties at Azerbaijan GP for New Engine Parts
Both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll will start at the back of the grid for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix due to new engine components. Aston Martin's strategic move to implement fresh parts results in significant grid penalties for the drivers.
Aston Martin is starting the Azerbaijan Grand Prix with a bit of a handicap. Both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll have been handed grid penalties, courtesy of new engine components. Alonso's car will boast a new internal combustion engine, pushing him over the allowed limit of four for the season. Add to that his fifth turbocharger and ninth power unit ancillary component, and you have a recipe for a hefty penalty.
Not to be outdone, Stroll's car is now running its sixth turbocharger, seventh energy store unit, and eighth power unit ancillary component. According to the regulations, the first breach of a power unit element limit results in a 10-place grid penalty, and subsequent breaches pile on five more places each time. When penalties exceed 15 grid places, drivers are relegated to the back of the grid, regardless of their qualifying performance.
This is precisely where Alonso and Stroll find themselves. Alonso faces a 25-place grid penalty, while Stroll is looking at a 20-place drop. No matter how they perform in the qualifying session, scheduled for 1600 local time, they'll be starting from the back, turning their weekend into an uphill climb for points.