Pic will be penalized 10 places on the starting grid
The Marussia driver is the first driver of the season to receive a 10-place penalty due to an engine change.
In difficulty during the second free practice session of the South Korean Grand Prix, Charles Pic will not be able to start better than 24th on the starting grid for the race on Sunday due to a new engine change.
Indeed, since 2009, the number of engines usable in a season is limited to 8 per car. However, for Charles Pic, the new engine that will be mounted on his Marussia will be the ninth of the season, resulting in a 10-place penalty on the next starting grid. We have planned to install a new engine on Charles’s car this afternoon, knowing that he will be penalized 10 places on the grid on Sunday. A decision that only slightly changes the situation for the Frenchman, accustomed to starting on the last three rows.
As a reminder, Article 28.4 of the FIA Sporting Regulations states:
« A) Each driver may not use more than 8 engines during the championship. If he uses more than 8 engines, he will be penalized by moving 10 places back on the starting grid of the first Grand Prix where the additional engine is used. If the driver changes engines twice during the same Grand Prix, he will move 10 places back on the starting grid of the Grand Prix where the additional engine is used, as well as during the following Grand Prix. An engine is considered used once the car’s transponder has crossed the pit exit line.
B) If a driver is replaced in any race of the season, the engine quota continues as if it were the driver who started the season.
C) After each event, the engines will be sealed and can be inspected within two hours following the event. […]
D) If one of the seals is damaged or missing from an engine after it has been used at least once, it may no longer be used unless decided otherwise by the FIA.
E) If an engine is changed in accordance with Article 34.1 [defining Parc Fermé rules, ed.], the replaced engine can no longer be used in any of the remaining qualifications or races during the season, except during the last Grand Prix of the championship. »
