McLaren to Start at Rear in Belgian Grand Prix After Engine Failures
McLaren will start at the rear of the Belgian Grand Prix after the team changed the engines on the cars of Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button.
Formula 1 team McLaren on Friday changed the engines and associated elements on driver Fernando Alonso's and Jenson Button's cars, incurring a combined 55-place grid penalty for Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix. (Alonso Admits Losing Drive to Race in F1)
The changes made at Spa Francorchamps circuit on Friday's practice session meant Alonso and Button are now on to their seventh engine of the season, two more than the regulations permit for new engine manufacturers. (McLaren Keen to Avoid Blame Game with Honda)
Both drivers have also taken on new turbochargers for their cars, all in excess of the number allowed by the rules.
The resulting, multiple grid penalties - a 30-place drop in total for Alonso, and 25 for Button - mean they are certain to fall to the back of the starting order of Sunday's Belgian GP.