McLaren driver takes 30-place grid penalty as Honda trial upgraded engine; Button not facing penalty as staying with Singapore unit
Wednesday 17 June 2020 11:57, UK
McLaren's Fernando Alonso is set to start from the back of the grid at the Malaysia GP with Honda trialling new engine parts this weekend.
The Spaniard will pick up a 30-place grid penalty, although no decision has yet been taken whether he will run the new unit all weekend.
Team-mate Jenson Button, who is at the limit of his penalty-free allocation for 2016, keeps the engine he used in Singapore.
"We had a plan at the middle of the season of which would be the best races where to pay the penalty and this was one of the best because the conditions normally change," explained Alonso.
Alonso exceeded his penalty-free engine allocation for the season at last month's Belgian GP when a double change put him at the back of the grid.
When is the Malaysia GP on Sky?
Ahead of their home race in Japan next week, Honda will trial a new power unit on Alonso's MP4-31 in Practice One at Sepang on Friday. It features a lighter engine block and redesigned exhaust, which is aimed at boosting efficiency.
After its P1 test, Honda and McLaren will then decide whether it stays in the car for the second session.
With the new elements nonetheless already unlocked, Alonso accrues a 30-place penalty for using his eighth versions of the internal combustion engine, turbocharger and MGU-H, along with seventh versions of the energy store and control electronics.
McLaren have made steady improvements in recent months with Alonso's three seventh-place finishes in the last five races helping them move into sixth in the Constructors' Championship.
"The aim for us is to be in the points at every race until the end of the season," added Alonso. "For me, this will be more difficult because l am starting last but points are still the target. Being the fourth-quickest car remains the target."
