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Formula 1 Belgian GP
McLaren duo to run more powerful Honda engine at Spa
Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne will run Honda's updated Formula 1 internal combustion engine for this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix.
Lawrence Barretto
Edited: May 5, 2021, 4:19 PM
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Honda hopes the update will deliver a small power increase, following successful development at its bases at Sakura and Milton Keynes.
The Japanese manufacturer was able to introduce the new parts without the need to change the ICE component and therefore escapes penalties.
Vandoorne will take a 35-place grid penalty because he had reached the point where Honda had planned to give him a fresh engine.
McLaren-Honda has taken the opportunity to change all six components.
The Belgian will also benefit from a small reliability update, which did require a component change that Honda is no disclosing, with Honda calling it 'spec 3.6'.
In a bid to avoid Alonso getting penalties at Spa, Honda as opted not to give him the same updated component for this race, and he is therefore running 'spec 3.5'.
The Spaniard will get it when he next needs to change that component.
"Both Fernando and Stoffel will be running upgraded power units this weekend," said Honda chief Yusuke Hasegawa.
"Unfortunately Stoffel will receive a grid penalty at his home grand prix, but it is important for us to introduce updates as soon as they are ready.
"It is positive that we have been able to introduce this next step forward so quickly, and we will continue to introduce updates throughout the remainder of the season."
Honda is currently embarking on an aggressive development plan, with several update packages planned for the remainder of the season.
It intends to introduce updates as soon as they are ready, but will also introduce them tactically to ensure it avoids penalties at tracks where it is likely to be strong, such as Singapore.
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