Daniel Ricciardo is set to drop to the back of the grid for Formula 1’s Turkish Grand Prix after McLaren fitted fresh power unit components to his MCL35M.
Ricciardo was set to line up from only 15th on the grid in the wake of being eliminated from the first part of qualifying at Istanbul Park.
McLaren relayed after qualifying that it was considering equipping fresh Mercedes power unit components to Ricciardo’s car and it has now taken that course of action.
In a document issued by the FIA on Sunday morning it was confirmed that McLaren has fitted a new Internal Combustion Engine, Turbocharger and MGU-H to Ricciardo’s car.
For each component it is the fourth version used in 2021, exceeding the yearly allocation of three, meaning that Ricciardo is set to drop to the back of the grid.
As the components are of the same specification as used in qualifying Ricciardo is able to start from the grid, rather than the pit lane, as parc ferme rules have not been broken.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, who also took on a fresh power unit for the weekend, is now set to start from 19th on account of qualifying ahead of Ricciardo.
It means three drivers have taken an engine-related penalty this weekend after Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes was also fitted with a fresh ICE.
As only one component was changed on Hamilton’s car he has been hit with a 10-place demotion rather than a complete relegation to the rear of the field.
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