Fernando Alonso will take a 35-place grid penalty for taking new power unit components at the Russian Grand Prix.
McLaren has given Alonso a new internal combustion engine [ICE], turbocharger, MGU-H and control electronics as part of a Honda update to test ahead of this weekend's race, with the ICE being Alonso's tenth of the season from the 15 rounds so far. As it is the first time a tenth power unit element has been used, the new ICE carries a 10-place grid penalty.
The remaining three components all carry a grid penalty of five places, giving Alonso a total grid drop of 25 positions. With Alonso set to revert to an older specification of power unit for the race itself, a fresh MGU-H and turbocharger when that change is made will leave him with a final penalty of 35 places.
Roberto Merhi also has a hefty grid penalty, with the Manor driver taking a fifth ICE, turbocharger and MGU-H. Similar to Alonso, Merhi's ICE change results in a drop of ten places, while the other two components carry a penalty of five places each. As a result, Merhi faces a total drop of 20 positions.
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