Pastor Maldonado is set to become the second driver this year to receive a penalty for using a sixth engine component.
Ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix Lotus notified the FIA they will be installing a new internal combustion engine [ICE] in his car, which will be his sixth of the season.
As it is the first time he has used a sixth component, Maldonado will receive an automatic ten-place grid penalty, as fellow Renault user Daniil Kvyat did in Italy.
Maldonado’s team mate Romain Grosjean along with both Mercedes, McLaren, Williams and Caterham drivers have all moved onto their fifth ICEs with five races remaining.
Esteban Gutierrez, Jean-Eric Vergne, Daniel Ricciardo, Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez are the only remaining drivers who have not yet used their fifth ICE.
2014 Japanese Grand Prix
Image © Lotus/LAT
Kingshark (@kingshark)
3rd October 2014, 4:55
Be honest, when you read the title, how many of you were thinking: Oh no Pastor, what have you done this time?
In all seriousness, come to Brazil the grid will be a complete mess – so many drivers will take engine penalties, and many others will take them just because they don’t want and give penalty for Abu Double (as too much is at stake).
OmarR-Pepper (@)
3rd October 2014, 5:05
@kingshark you are right. Teams will do a Massa and take the penalties intentionally. Chilton for his first pole!!!
Chris (@cgturbo)
3rd October 2014, 8:46
Do you think some of the smaller teams, like Marussia, would risk taking out a 6th component in the race before Brazil, so they’re guaranteed not to need one the race after, allowing them to capitalise, perhaps a lot, on other people’s penalties in Brazil?
JeffreyJ
3rd October 2014, 9:23
Yes that sounds like a good idea. That is if they can even afford an 6th engine….. Maybe some will just have to litterely fold if they need an extra power unit.
Lee (@frendlee)
3rd October 2014, 9:50
Penalties carry over tho. So if anyone of the back teams go for this. At best maybe take a penalty for the first 4 places and the race after (Brazil) then take a 6 place penalty. It then however mean its wiped for double points day.
Also with Sauber and Caterham on 0 points. Anyone know if an 11th place in the last race is worth more than 11th place in all the others?
George (@george)
3rd October 2014, 15:33
@cgturbo
It’s probably too easy to overtake there, I think they’d get swallowed up fairly quickly.
dragoll (@dragoll)
3rd October 2014, 11:15
With all this talk about “taking a hit” before Abu Double, I’m starting to wonder if… Abu Double might actually be a very fiercely contested race, not only between the dueling Mercs, but also every other team, who will all be desperate for the points, even finishing 10th will be worth it… We could see some very interesting antics leading up to, during and even a massive fall out after the race… Pure entertainment value…. Will be interested to see the rate the race poll afterwards, I am starting to think it will be a 9 or a 10, no matter what happens.
Formula-I (@)
3rd October 2014, 11:51
actually the idea to make the race interesting is hit on target, but it could cause unfair championship (not if the gap is big between each car or driver)
OmarR-Pepper (@)
3rd October 2014, 13:15
@f1indofans The outcome of mclaren vs forceindia can be unfair, but sauber may need a 7th to beat Marussia,and that sounds unlikely
OmarR-Pepper (@)
3rd October 2014, 13:18
and ferrari vs Williams may also end up unfairly
Formula-I (@)
3rd October 2014, 13:23
And crucially the WDC
OmarR-Pepper (@)
5th October 2014, 2:47
@f1indofans if the WDC fight ends up with Hamilton and Rosberg very close before Abu Dhabi (7 points or less). and Ricciardo out of range, the WDC will be defined naturally. Don’t forget that on equal points Hamilton is the champion (if he ends up having more wins than Nico, I mean).