Here is the thing about modern Formula 1: sometimes a team just has to bite the bullet and take the pain. Aston Martin is about to do exactly that at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll are expected to take grid penalties after the team decided to implement a number of new engine components.
Alonso's machine will feature a fresh internal combustion engine, which means the Spaniard has now exceeded the permitted allocation of four across the season. But that is not even the half of it. He will also receive a new turbocharger—marking his fifth of the season—alongside a power unit ancillary component, which is his ninth of the six allowed, further contributing to the incoming penalty.
Down in the other garage, Stroll's AMR26 is in a similar state of mechanical overhaul. The Canadian is now running his sixth turbocharger, seventh energy store unit, sixth control electronics unit, and eighth power unit ancillary component.
Now, the regulations are brutal on this front. The first time the allocation of any power unit element is exceeded, a 10-place grid penalty will be applied. The second time this occurs and so on results in a five-place grid drop, with all penalties at the same event applying in a cumulative manner. Furthermore, if a driver incurs a penalty exceeding 15 grid places, they are required to start the race at the back of the field regardless.
While the exact penalty is yet to be confirmed by officials, any penalty will leave Aston Martin with an uphill battle to fight for points.
