By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief
Fernando Alonso will take a 15-place grid penalty after McLaren-Honda fitted new power unit components to his car ahead of final practice on Saturday.
The 35-year-old Spaniard had already taken a 30-place penalty following a new power unit for Friday’s practice, in which Honda upgraded the engine block and the exhaust in an effort to reduce weight.
Originally the plan was to revert to a previous engine for qualifying and the race, but now the team opted to the older engine with a new turbocharger and a new MGU-H, which has added the additional 15-place penalty and making the total on the weekend set at 45.
Both Alonso and Jenson Button will run an updated exhaust for the race.
Despite starting from the back of the grid on Sunday, Alonso is in prime position to enjoy the new engine block without incurring a penalty at Honda’s home grand prix next week in Japan.
