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McLaren duo to take grid penalties in Baku

Published on 22 Jun 2017 16:25
7
By: Fergal Walsh

Both Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne will take grid penalties this weekend in Azerbaijan, as they make their way through yet more of their engine parts. Honda recently claimed that its MGU-H section of the power unit can only last two races.

Therefore, both drivers will receive brand new MGU-H's this weekend, along with new turbochargers. However, it does mean that they will be handed fifteen-place grid penalties. Alonso will also be running with a new combustion engine, but as it is in the allocated limit, he will not be handed a penalty for that particular part.

"We already have some penalties to start the weekend, which is not ideal but this is the situation we are in," Vandoorne said in Baku. "We will try and make our best focus maybe a bit more on race runs," he added, "and hopefully we can play a little bit during the race. We are probably competing to start from the back of the grid."

New upgrades in Baku

Prior to the Canadian Grand Prix, Honda was hoping to introduce new upgrades to the power unit in an attempt to improve its reliability and speed. While that upgrade was delayed, Honda will run it in free practice in Baku before deciding whether or not to continue with them for the remainder of the weekend.

When asked if he expects the components to work, Vandoorne replied: "It's probably more of a question for Honda. I don't think there's many new introductions this weekend," he admitted, "so it will not be too different. To be honest it's not up to me to take such a decision.

"It's been a difficult start to the season," he added, "it's definitely not an ideal situation for everyone. We'd like to be fighting much higher up on the grid, but we are trying to put McLaren's interest at the top and that's what is the most important for us now.

"We need to fight back and I am pretty sure the team is moving in the right direction, and hopefully at some point we will be competitive again, and hopefully that is sooner rather than later."

Fergal Walsh

F1 News Fernando Alonso Stoffel Vandoorne McLaren Honda

Replies (7)

f1fan0101

Posts: 1,804
probably would have started last anyway
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- Jun 22 2017 - 16:36
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  A sad truth.
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  Jun 22 2017 - 17:17
calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
Wise to run them in the practice session first. Does anyone know if they changed the rules regarding taking multiples of the same PU components in one weekend, like Hamilton did one weekend last year (Belgium or Austria, I believe it was)?
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- Jun 22 2017 - 17:19
kngrthr

Posts: 203
why don't we get back to one engine per race (average).

these rules hamper upgrades and development.

imagine if this championship, which is the closest one for a while, is decided by a grid penalty.
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- Jun 23 2017 - 01:59
- TommyK
  
  Posts: 10
  Or they could just put an end to these stupid engines and go back to a V8 or V10! Far cheaper, less complicated and maybe more manufactures??
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  Jun 24 2017 - 01:44
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  To cut costs. It'd be ridiculously expensive for the teams to bring one power unit per race. But I agree that we need them to have more than 4 engines allowed, it doesnt make sense to have so scarce amounts of each component. Or they need to change it so that teams with only one problem component can take more of those than of the rest.
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  Jun 24 2017 - 09:46
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  @TOMMYK V8 return would be horrible for F1 in terms of manufacturers. We'd see at least half of the current 4 leaving, and companies like Ford, Audi and Toyota have all clearly stated that if they are to enter F1, it must be under electric or hybrid regulations. These engines arent really worse than the V8s, problem is that during the V8 era we didnt have as limited amounts of each component, so we notice the wear and tear more now.
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  Jun 24 2017 - 09:49