Alonso and Stroll set for grid penalties at Azerbaijan Grand Prix after Aston Martin fit fresh engine parts

Aston Martin start Baku weekend on the back foot

Aston Martin will begin the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on the back foot after opting to introduce a number of fresh engine components that leave both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll set to take grid penalties.

The team's decision to fit new power unit elements comes at the cost of grid positions for both drivers, handing them an uphill battle to fight for points in Baku.

Alonso's penalty components

Fernando Alonso's car will feature a fresh internal combustion engine (ICE), thereby exceeding the permitted allocation of four across the season. The Spaniard will also receive a new turbocharger — his fifth of the season — and a power unit ancillary component, his ninth against the six allowed. Each of those breaches adds to the incoming penalty.

Stroll's extensive changes

Lance Stroll's AMR26 is now running his sixth turbocharger, seventh energy store unit, sixth control electronics unit and eighth power unit ancillary component — all beyond their respective season limits.

How the penalties stack up

As per the regulations, the first time the allocation of any power unit element is exceeded, a 10-place grid penalty is applied. The second time this occurs — and so on — results in a five-place grid drop, with all penalties at the same event applied in a cumulative manner. If a driver incurs a penalty exceeding 15 grid places, they will be required to start the race at the back of the field regardless.

While the exact penalty for either driver is yet to be confirmed, any demotion leaves Aston Martin facing a steep challenge to recover into the points in Azerbaijan.