F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Ocon gets penalty-free power unit change after fire

Alpine has been forced to replace Esteban Ocon's power unit for Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix but there will be no penalty for the Frenchman as the new unit was already part of his pool of hardware.

Ocon endured an eventful Sprint event on Saturday at Interlagos marked by a double clash with teammate Fernando Alonso that ruined his race.

But as he returned to the pits after the 24-lap race, a fuel leak set his Alpine ablaze.

While the fire was quickly extinguished by the marshals, it had significantly damaged the A522's engine and several of its components.

"As a result of the fuel leak on Esteban’s car after Saturday’s sprint qualifying [race] and the subsequent damage caused by the fire, the team has changed his PU for today’s race from his pool," said Alpine in a statement.

"This means he will not take a grid penalty and will start today’s race from 17th place. The damaged parts on the chassis have also been replaced."

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

‘Difficult to pass’: Ocon raises early alarm over 2026 F1 cars

Esteban Ocon fears Formula 1’s 2026 cars could make overtaking a tougher art rather than…

10 hours ago

Jenson Button named Aston Martin F1 Team Ambassador for 2026

Jenson Button is heading back into the Formula 1 spotlight – not in a race…

11 hours ago

Wolff calls out Mercedes engine rivals: ‘Get your sh*it together!’

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has fired a blunt warning across the Formula 1 engine landscape,…

12 hours ago

A tribute to a talented fallen F1 hopeful

Roger Williamson - the young British F1 hopeful who was lost to motorsport in a…

14 hours ago

Russell confident in Mercedes W17 – but stops short of title claim

Mercedes’ George Russell is currently the bookmakers’ favorite for the 2026 F1 world title, yet…

14 hours ago

F1 engine dispute heads for boiling point in key FIA meetings

This week, Formula 1’s engine manufacturer’s are heading into two crucial meetings with the FIA,…

16 hours ago