A flurry of engine part changes at Suzuka
Red Bull Racing and Aston Martin drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Logan Sargeant, are set to benefit from new engine components at Suzuka. Their teams are giving them this upgrade to have less room for error in the final stages of the season.
For Lance Stroll, it was predictable. The Canadian crashed his Aston Martin last week during the qualifying session of the Singapore Grand Prix. He was unable to start the race as he didn’t feel fit and his car had too much damage.
For this Japanese Grand Prix, he benefits from a new engine, a new turbo, a new MGU-H, and an MGU-K. The British team has installed the fourth element in each category and has reached the limit imposed by the FIA regulations.
His teammate, Fernando Alonso, also received the same parts and, like Lance Stroll, reached the quota for each season. The two Red Bull drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Logan Sargeant, benefit from the same components. And just like their companions at Aston Martin, they have also reached the limit. In order to avoid penalties later on, they will have to rely on reliability.
For Suzuka, Lewis Hamilton has been given a third gearbox, out of the four allowed for each season. Finally, Lance Stroll has a fourth gearbox. The Canadian will have to make do with it until Abu Dhabi in order to avoid a penalty on the starting grid.
