AlphaTauri driver Pierre Gasly will take a new Honda engine for the Hungarian Grand Prix after the problems that prevented him from running in Q3.
Because this is the first change of engine components for Gasly this year, he is able to make the switch without incurring a penalty so will still start 10th.
He had been reporting engine concerns throughout qualifying, yet still made it to the pole shootout – where the decision was taken not to run.
“Yeah, unfortunately we are not driving right now because we had an issue on the engine,” said Gasly.
“Already end of Q1 we started to have like big lag and big knocking and in the second run in Q2 I could not complete the run.
“I had no power and big cuts – it’s a shame because I think it was great to qualify in P10 in Q3.
“I was really happy, especially because after not running in FP1 I didn’t drive in the dry except this morning, a few laps, and I felt good in the car. I was pushing quite hard.”
Honda’s F1 technical director Toyoharu Tanabe said: “We spotted something on the data which led to the decision not to run in Q3.
“To avoid any further risk, we will change the PU overnight, penalty-free.
“The PU used so far this weekend is being sent to Sakura for an in depth examination to find the cause of the issue.”
That engine could yet be put back into the pool for Gasly to use later in the year subject to the outcome of Honda’s investigation. But should Honda find damage that precludes further use, Gasly may face a grid penalty when he exceeds the limit of three examples of each engine component.
His team-mate Daniil Kvyat failed to get beyond Q1 and will start 17th.
