McLaren’s Fernando Alonso will start from the pit lane after receiving a new front wing and power unit elements for the Austrian Grand Prix.
Alonso qualified 13th for the ninth race of the season, but the team was forced to break parc ferme regulations to fit the new specification front wing.
“The parts have been replaced with the approval of the FIA technical delegate following a written request from the team concerned, this being in accordance with Aritcle 34.2 of the 2018 Formula One Sporting Regulations,” FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer confirmed in a statement.
“But as the above parts are different from the ones originally used, car number 14 should now be required to start from the pit lane according to Article 34.6 of the 2018 Formula One Sporting Regulaitons.”
Alonso also received a new Renault MGU-K. taking him above the permitted allocation of components for the season. Starting from the pit lane means he won’t receive a grid penalty for the engine change, but any changes later in the season could result in a grid drop.
Toro Rosso’s Brendon Hartley also received new Honda engine elements and will start from the back of the grid after qualifying P19.
