Before a wheel had turned, five drivers faced demotion to the back of the grid for Sunday's Russian Grand Prix.

As expected, both the Red Bull duo and their counterparts at Toro Rosso have taken new engines for this weekend's race, with Fernando Alonso also taking on a new power unit.

All five drivers take on new Internal Combustion Engines (ICE), bringing their respective totals to 5 (Ricciardo), 4 Verstappen, 7 Hartley, 6 Gasly and 4 Alonso.

All five also take on new turbochargers, MGU-H and MGU-Ks, while only Verstappen and Alonso take on new energy stores, the Dutchman, Spaniard and Hartley taking on new control electrics also.

With the five due to line up on Sunday in the order the elements were first used on track, there was a mad scramble to see who would be first out in this morning’s session, the Bulls pipped at the post by Lando Norris who was driving Alonso's car in the session.

As a result, as things stand, Alonso will start 16th, ahead of Ricciardo, Verstappen, Gasly and Hartley.

Check out our Friday gallery from Sochi, here.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by NS Biker, 28/09/2018 20:25

"Is the final grid positions of those taking penalties based on the number of penalty spots or the timing of the registering (application?) of the grid penalty.?
My understanding that it was a first come first served system. If that is the case, then a team gains by taking the penalty as soon as possible.
This should also make a mess of the qualifying if any of the fab-five outpace any of those not taking penalties.
What the heck, why not a televised round of Rock-Paper-Scissors, best of 3. Ratings should be awesome."

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2. Posted by Editor, 28/09/2018 14:19

"@ bfairey

What part of "As a result, as things stand, Alonso will start 16th, ahead of Ricciardo, Verstappen, Gasly and Hartley" don't you understand?"

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3. Posted by bfairey, 28/09/2018 14:16

"In which order will they be demoted? This whole business is stupid. Bring on the E cars."

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Five drivers to be demoted to the back of Sochi grid

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