F1 News
Alexander Albon receives grid penalty for swapping power unit
- Nicolás Quarles van Ufford
Toro Rosso rookie Alexander Albon is set to take a grid penalty of at least ten places in Austria for using a fourth power unit, as the Thai will have the new, upgraded Honda engine installed at the Red Bull Ring.
Albon's teammate Daniil Kvyat has already taken that same penalty in France. The Russian opted to swap out more parts after receiving the penalty, as he would start from the back of the grid anyway. In all likeliness, Albon will do the same.
The 23-year-old didn't have the Spec-3 Honda engine fitted yet because his engine was still in good shape, so he said, although it is thought Toro Rosso split up the penalties to maximise the chance of scoring points on both occasions.
This is the third engine swap for Albon, and as each car is only allowed three engines per year, he will receive a penalty of ten grid places. Kvyat will have to bring home the bacon for Toro Rosso at the home track of father team Red Bull Racing.