Button Slapped with 35-Place Grid Penalty for Japanese GP

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.

About Joey Barnes 597 Articles
Joey Barnes is the Founder of Motorsports Tribune, an outlet that began with the goal of helping aspiring journalists break into and grow the industry. A regular on the racing scene since 2013, the journey for Joey started by covering a Grand-Am event at Circuit of The Americas in his home state of Texas. He has since primarily focused on the IndyCar Series, with appearances in the garages of NASCAR, paddocks of Formula 1, IMSA and World Endurance Championship, while also occasionally engulfing clouds of dust at the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals and select Supercross rounds. With previous stops at Autoweek, IndyCar.com, Motorsport.com and RACER, among others, Joey evolved from the singular task as a freelance writer to advanced roles behind the copy desk and alongside some of the best editorial teams in the business. Recognized as a multi-time award winner by the National Motorsports Press Association, Joey currently resides in Dallas-Fort Worth with his trusty four-legged canine companion, Rocket.

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