Vandoorne to take 15 grid place penalty

Stoffel Vandoorne is all but sure to start Sunday's Russian Grand Prix from the back of the field after the Belgian was handed a fifteen grid time penalty following the first practice session in Sochi.

McLaren was forced to change the MGU-H and turbocharger after issues arose in FP1, and it was Vandoorne's fifth component change for both of the aforementioned parts. All components in the power unit bar the control electronics are being changed in his car.

Drivers are able to use four parts of an element of a power unit before penalties start getting dished out, but as this is only the fourth race of the season, alarm bells are well and truly ringing for McLaren. 

McLaren hopes to get Vandoorne out for the afternoon session, however, his weekend will now be overshadowed by the unavoidable penalty that awaits him on Sunday. 

Fergal Walsh