Alonso and Stroll expected to take grid penalties at Azerbaijan Grand Prix after new Aston Martin engine components

Aston Martin faces a difficult Azerbaijan Grand Prix start, with Formula 1 reporting that both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll are expected to incur grid penalties after new engine components were added to their AMR26s. The expected penalties stem from exceeding the sport’s permitted allocation for key power unit elements across the season, and they would be applied cumulatively for the same event if multiple components trigger the rule.

Formula 1 states that Alonso’s car will receive a fresh internal combustion engine (ICE), taking his total beyond the allowed four for the year. In addition, he is set to use a new turbocharger, described as his fifth of the season, and a power unit ancillary component, described as his ninth among the six permitted—both of which would further contribute to the grid penalty under the regulations.

For Stroll, Formula 1 reports that the AMR26 is now running a sixth turbocharger, a seventh energy store unit, a sixth control electronics unit, and an eighth power unit ancillary component. Under the rules cited in the announcement, the first time an allocation for a given element is exceeded, a 10-place grid penalty is applied; a second and subsequent exceedance for that element results in a five-place drop. Any penalties at the same event are applied in a cumulative manner, and if a driver’s total penalty exceeds 15 places, they would be required to start from the back of the field.

While Formula 1 notes that the exact penalty is yet to be confirmed, the company’s component choices mean Aston Martin’s race-day outlook for points is expected to be compromised by the grid impact for both cars.

Written by Vancouver Television Sports Desk