Alonso gets 35-place grid drop for Japan!

©McLaren

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Fernando Alonso's hopes of delivering a good result at Honda's home race were seriously compromised by an unexpected power unit change and subsequent penalty.

Alonso's engine was diagnosed with a hydraulic issue last yesterday and McLaren was forced to break the curfew for the second time this season in order to change the unit.

'Starting from zero each year' detrimental to Honda - Alonso

Alonso thus moves on to his 10th MGU-H and Turbocharger, eighth ICE and MGU-K, seventh Energy Store and sixth Control Electronics, with a 35-place grid penalty associated with the changes.

Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas will be demoted five spots tomorrow following a gearbox change yesterday, while Renault's Jolyon Palmer will also start towards the back of the grid after his car was fitted with its fifth internal combustion engine, sixth turbocharger and sixth MGU-H.

Power unit changes also affected Toro Rosso's Carlos Sainz who is handed a 20-place grid penalty.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.