Lance Stroll's Racing Point RP19 will be fitted with a previous-spec Mercedes engine for qualifying following the failure of its brand new spec-2 unit in FP3.
The Canadian was on the verge of completing an installation in the final free practice session when flames and a plume of smoke trailed the pink car as he headed for the pitlane.
It was an ominous sign for the Racing Point crew who quickly diagnosed an engine failure that halted the local hero's session.
More worrying was the fact that the engine is the same new-spec unit used this weekend by the Mercedes works team and Williams, and which was introduced for this weekend's seventh round of the world championship.
For qualifying and the remainder of the race weekend, Stroll will revert to the high-mileage engine he used in the first six races of the season.
Mercedes has yet to reveal the exact cause of the failure, a diagnosis that may have to wait until the unit returns to Brixton in the UK, but the manufacturer's engineers are likely already hard at work scanning and scrutinizing all their spec-2 engines in Canada in search of any warning signs or anomalies.
Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
McLaren arrived in Bahrain for pre-season testing determined to defend its status as Formula 1’s…
Nico Hulkenberg has given F1 fans a vivid image to ponder ahead of the 2026…
Under the pale winter sun of Barcelona and the desert glare of Bahrain, George Russell…
Peter Gethin, the man who secured perhaps the most thrilling win ever witnessed in Grand…
Aston Martin engine supplier Honda has publicly conceded what the timing screens in Bahrain had…
As the countdown to 2026 gathers pace, Oscar Piastri has reshuffled his inner circle –…