Azerbaijan GP: McLarens to start at the back due to Honda engine penalties
"We are probably competing to start from the back of the grid," says Vandoorne as both he and Alonso receive substantial grid drops for Honda engine tweaks in Baku; Penalties could increase
Friday 23 June 2017 17:13, UK
Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne are set to start the Azerbaijan GP at the back of the grid as McLaren-Honda racked up more engine penalties.
The substantial double grid drop is yet another blow to McLaren, the only team without a championship point this season, and their under-pressure engine suppliers Honda.
Alonso: No gambles on 2018 team
The Japanese firm have provided neither a competitive or reliable power unit in 2017, and the new MGU-H and turbo chargers in Alonso and Vandoorne's cars are their sixth of each component this year, triggering automatic 15-place grid penalties for both drivers.
There is also scope for Alonso and Vandoorne to receive further engine changes and penalties in Baku.
The Spaniard, who is running with a new internal combustion engine this weekend, the fourth and final component of his allocation, and his team have decisions to make following his gearbox failure at the end of Practice Two.
Everything from Vandoorne's power unit, meanwhile, apart from the energy store and control electronics, may be replaced before qualifying.
"We are probably competing to start from the back of the grid," admitted Vandoorne in Thursday's drivers' press conference.
McLaren have suffered 10 race retirements so far this season and the pressure continues to grow on Honda, with rumours of a divorce for one of Formula 1's most famous partnerships swirling.
Honda have brought a minor engine upgrade to Baku, but both drivers do not expect it to make much of a difference to their performance, especially on a track which features the longest straight on the calendar.
"We lose about three seconds on the straight here," said Alonso. "If it's only 2.8 seconds now, nothing will change. It will be a hard weekend again."
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