Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll will suffer heavy grid penalties after taking new components for the Formula 1 Azerbaijan GP.
The Aston Martin duo will take a combined 45-place grid penalty, with Stroll receiving a 20-place penalty and Alonso a 25-place penalty.
Since the pair were likely to start with the backmarkers, the penalty doesn’t create a major difference in their starting positions, as they now have to start from the back of the grid.
Aston Martin has had their fair share of bad luck this season, and the drivers have found themselves at the back of the pack more often than not. As a whole, the team has accumulated only 3 points so far this season.
While the team hoped 2026 would be bright, it has consistently suffered from retirements, mechanical failures, and a lack of speed.
Both drivers exceeded their use of power unit elements for the season and were therefore hit with grid penalties. Alonso has taken a fifth engine, a fifth turbocharger, and a ninth power unit ancillary component, all of which exceed the allowed number of components for each season.
Stroll has taken a seventh energy store, a sixth turbocharger, a sixth control electronics unit, and an eighth ancillary component. Under the regulations, both cars will be forced to start at the back of the 22-car grid.
FIA regulations on grid penalties
According to the FIA documents, for Alonso: “The penalty is imposed in accordance with Article B8.2.8 of the FIA F1 Regulations.
“In this case, the use of (Element #1) and (Element #2) additional element(s) carries a 10 grid place penalty by virtue of Article B8.2.8a of the FIA F1 Regulations and the use of (Element #3) additional element carries a 5 grid place penalty by virtue of Article B8.2.8b of the FIA F1 Regulations.
“Therefore, there is an accumulation of 25 places.
“Subject to Car 14 being classified in the results of Qualifying, Car 14 will be allocated a grid position in the Race in accordance with Article B2.5.4b.iv of the FIA F1 Regulations.”
For Stroll, the FIA document stated: “The penalty is imposed in accordance with Article B8.2.8 of the FIA F1 Regulations.
“The use of each additional element in this case carries a 5 grid place penalty therefore there is an accumulation of 20 places.
“Subject to Car 18 being classified in the results of Qualifying, Car 18 will be allocated a grid position in the Race in accordance with Article B2.5.4b.iv of the FIA F1 Regulations.”
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