The first engine-related grid penalties of the season moved a little closer today with the news that both Toro Rosso drivers are to receive new (updated) engine components for this weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix, the second race of the season.

While the Kiwi finished the season opener in Melbourne, albeit a lap down in fifteenth, his French teammate retired just 13 laps into the race following a power unit issue.

"During the race in Australia, we had an issue with the MGU-H and turbocharger on Pierre's car and this had the knock-on effect of also damaging the internal combustion engine," explains Honda's F1 technical director, Toyoharu Tanabe.

"Therefore, in Bahrain, Pierre will use a new ICE, MGU-H and turbocharger," he adds. "The MGU-H and turbo have both been modified, in light of what we learned in the first race.

"Given the problems we encountered in Melbourne, we have decided, as a precautionary measure, to also change the MGU-H and turbocharger on Brendon's car, fitting the new modified components," he revealed.

"Replacing components for the second race is obviously a difficult decision and not ideal, given that the number of power units and ancillary components is now limited to just three per season, however we believe this is the right way forward and we will continue our development in order to ensure the same issue does not reoccur."

Though the drivers suffer no penalties this weekend, unless the components from Gasly's previous power unit can be salvaged, the Frenchman will effectively be left with one more change of ICE, Turbo and MGU-H for the remainder of the season.

While the ICE Hartley used in Melbourne is OK, the New Zealander is in a similar position to his teammate in terms of his MGU-H and Turbo.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Nortim, 04/04/2018 18:03

"I have Honda engine on my lawnmower it's 6 years old and still works, works 5-8 hours a day during summer, 5-6 days a week, I can borrow it for 1000$ dollars a month! I bet it would run whole summer and you can make profit with it Honda!"

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2. Posted by NS Biker, 04/04/2018 15:10

"This shouldn't be a surprise. It is the only way that Honda can do development work and on-track testing.
It still sounds like a great idea (mine, of course) to have an NSX, or similar mule, with an F1 Power unit on board, pounding around a test track in Japan. Road relevant product development, of course.
Question .... does Honda have to use up all of their allotment of any component, MGU-H, ICE, Bat etc. before they take a grid penalty.? Or, is it similar to gear boxes, that need to run for x consecutive races.? Likely the former, but ...?? "

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3. Posted by imejl99, 04/04/2018 13:50

"With every Toro Rosso news the more and more I am consumed with notion that, in fact, this is 21 rounds of 3 day Honda PU testing for that big brother in other garage, for 2019. "

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4. Posted by GrahamG, 04/04/2018 13:46

"Surely the issue here is the stupid penalty orientated system."

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5. Posted by ZJAY, 04/04/2018 13:01

"Hamilton move to Mercedes was criticized for ever and ended up to be the right move.
Mclaren move away from Honda was also heavily criticized and it seems so far the right move.

Loyalty does not win, it is just the nice person excuse not to dare to change and take a risk. "

Honda to replace engine parts for Toro Rosso duo

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