04/04/2018
NEWS STORY
The first engine-related grid penalties of the season moved a little closer today with the news that both Toro Rosso drivers are to receive new (updated) engine components for this weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix, the second race of the season.
While the Kiwi finished the season opener in Melbourne, albeit a lap down in fifteenth, his French teammate retired just 13 laps into the race following a power unit issue.
"During the race in Australia, we had an issue with the MGU-H and turbocharger on Pierre's car and this had the knock-on effect of also damaging the internal combustion engine," explains Honda's F1 technical director, Toyoharu Tanabe.
"Therefore, in Bahrain, Pierre will use a new ICE, MGU-H and turbocharger," he adds. "The MGU-H and turbo have both been modified, in light of what we learned in the first race.
"Given the problems we encountered in Melbourne, we have decided, as a precautionary measure, to also change the MGU-H and turbocharger on Brendon's car, fitting the new modified components," he revealed.
"Replacing components for the second race is obviously a difficult decision and not ideal, given that the number of power units and ancillary components is now limited to just three per season, however we believe this is the right way forward and we will continue our development in order to ensure the same issue does not reoccur."
Though the drivers suffer no penalties this weekend, unless the components from Gasly's previous power unit can be salvaged, the Frenchman will effectively be left with one more change of ICE, Turbo and MGU-H for the remainder of the season.
While the ICE Hartley used in Melbourne is OK, the New Zealander is in a similar position to his teammate in terms of his MGU-H and Turbo.