By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief
Jenson Button is set to start last in the Japanese Grand Prix after taking a new power unit following qualifying.
Honda had introduced an upgraded power unit for McLaren-Honda teammate Fernando Alonso for the Malaysia Grand Prix last weekend, the same that Button was waiting until the United States Grand Prix for in hopes to avoid a grid penalty at Honda’s home race at Suzuka.
However, the 36-year-old Brit qualified a disappointing 17th and Honda decided the penalty is minimal and have upgraded Button’s power unit in order to have it available for the rest of the season.
The 2009 Formula 1 World Champion takes a complete new power unit – set with an internal combustion engine (ICE), MGU-H, MGU-K, turbo, energy store and control electronics – which is the sixth of each component. The first component carries a ten-place grid penalty, and each subsequent component carries a five-place grid penalty, resulting in 35-places in total.
