Racing Point opt for fresh Phase-2 engine for Perez

Sergio Perez (MEX) Racing Point F1 Team RP19.
© XPB 

Racing Point has elected to fit a fresh Phase-2 Mercedes power unit to Sergio Perez's car after the Mexican's engine failure in Q2 rather than opt for an updated unit.

Perez was left stranded on the side of the track in the second segment of qualifying, the victim of a terminal engine issue.

In order to avoid a pitlane start for this afternoon's race, which a switch to a new Phase 3 engine would have required, Perez will remain with the same-spec unit and take a grid drop.

"Start maybe 19th," said Racing Point team boss Otmar Szafnauer.

"I think we will start ahead of Verstappen as he has taken a new powertrain and we outqualified him. So we will start 19th and see how we go."

In Belgium last week, Perez suffered a brand-new Phase-3 engine failure and had reverted to an older Spec 2 unit for the remainder of the race weekend and Monza.

Strategically, Szafnauer sees a benefit for now in keeping a second Phase 3 engine out of Perez's pool of units.

"If we ever go to the Phase 3 then it is a trade off between more performance and penalties," added Szafnauer.

"But say, heaven forbid, one time we spin off in Q1 or something fails in Q1 and you are last anyway, then you can introduce the Phase 3."

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