04 - 06 April
News
Hulkenberg and Magnussen set for Austrian GP grid drops
Share
Nico Hulkenberg will move on par in terms of power output with Renault team mate Daniel Ricciardo after the French manufacturer opted to give him their engine upgrade ahead of final practice for the Austrian Grand Prix.
Ricciardo was the first to run the unit in France, but as Hulkenberg was on the brink of penalties, the German didn't take the new engine - and thus the penalties - because it was their home race.
On Friday morning, Renault confirmed Hulkenberg would run his fifth internal combustion engine (ICE) – at what is the ninth race of the season – in Austria, which means a five-place grid penalty.
It comes after Carlos Sainz, whose McLaren team run Renault power, took a completely fresh unit including the new ICE ahead of Friday practice and then a new gearbox, confining him to the back of the grid.
He’ll be joined down there by Toro Rosso’s Alexander Albon, who fitted the new Honda spec 3 a race after his team mate Daniil Kvyat ran it in France, before Friday running.
He then took another new ICE, turbo, MGU-H and MGU-K ahead of Saturday practice to trigger more penalties, which are effectively meaningless given he’s starting at the back anyway.
Kevin Magnussen meanwhile will take a five-place grid drop for a geabox change, after Haas confirmed the switch following issues on the Dane's car during FP3.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
News Bortoleto ‘not proud’ of Lap 1 spin in China as Hulkenberg rues impact of early damage on ‘very tricky’ day
News Tsunoda to replace Lawson at Red Bull from Japanese GP as New Zealander drops down to Racing Bulls
Video LIVESTREAM: Watch the action from Qualifying for Round 12 of the 2025 F1 Sim Racing World Championship
FeatureF1 Unlocked THIS WEEK IN F1: 10 quiz questions on the Chinese Grand Prix and the latest F1 news
