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Formula 1 Italian GP
Honda: Alonso's Spa engine ready to be used again
Fernando Alonso's Belgian GP Formula 1 engine is ready for use again after Honda completed its checks following his retirement, but he is still likely to take penalties at Monza.
Lawrence Barretto
Edited: Aug 31, 2017, 10:49 AM
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Alonso retired from the Spa race, reporting an "engine problem" on the radio, but Honda said after the race it found nothing in the data to suggest there was an issue.
Motorsport.com has learned the power unit was taken back to Milton Keynes for analysis but Honda could not find anything wrong and as a result have put it back in the pool.
It is available to use this weekend in Italy but it remains unclear when it will be drafted in as Honda is considering introducing an update on Alonso's car.
The Japanese manufacturer has brought the upgrade to Italy, but is currently undecided as to whether it will introduce it.
A final decision is due on Thursday night ahead of Friday morning practice.
Should Honda introduce the update, which is focused on boosting power, only Alonso will get it and it is likely Honda will change the whole engine.
That would incur a 35-place grid penalty, consigning him to starting Sunday's Italian Grand Prix from the back of the field.
Honda and McLaren are keen to take their grid penalties tactically to ensure they maximise results at the circuits in which they feel a strong result is possible.
Taking engine penalties at Monza makes sense, given the following race in Singapore offers the team arguably its best chance of a good result for the remainder of the season.
Alonso hinted at Spa that was he was likely to take penalties at Monza, when he suggested he would return the favour to teammate Stoffel Vandoorne by offering a tow in qualifying because his grid position would already essentially be clear.
"We had it planned," said Alonso of giving Vandoorne a tow. "Next week [at Monza] it will be the other way around because it's my turn.
"We were trying to take advantage of the penalties we have to find a positive and try to do the best for the team."
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