Ocon receives penalty for the Mexican GP for changing the F1 engine

Esteban Ocon is the fourth Formula 1 driver to land a penalty behind the bars in Mexico after Alpine announced on Saturday that it had taken a new unit.

Following penalties for McLaren’s Lando Norris, AlphaTauris Yuki Tsunoda and Aston Martins Lance Stroll, Ocon will also fall back on the back of the grid after Alpine picked up a new engine before the final practice session at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on Saturday.

“Esteban will get a new engine for the Mexico City Grand Prix this weekend – his fourth of the season,” said Alpine in a brief statement.

“All components of the engine will be brand new for qualifying and the race.”

The best qualified driver of the quartet will start on Sunday from 17.

George Russell will also start the race on Sunday with a starting penalty, dropping five places after Williams decided to re-equip his car with a new transmission following a problem in Friday practice.

Since his shock victory in Hungary before the summer break, Ocon has not finished seventh place and was eliminated from the last race in the USA after fighting for his pace all weekend.

“We are obviously looking for a recovery,” said Ocon on Thursday in Mexico.

“It’s a whole different challenge here. Like I said, it’s a lot smoother, there are a lot less bumps than Austin. So we’re working really hard to understand why we’re not competitive in Austin, and we hope that we’re back on track. ” for this race. “

Esteban Ocon, Alps A521

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Alpine is currently in a close battle with AlphaTauri for fifth place in the constructors’ championship, with a lead of just 10 points five races to go.

Ocon was of the opinion that AlphaTauri “clearly” had a tempo advantage at the moment, which makes it important for Alpine to try to seize all opportunities it can.

“We have to keep delivering and get the most out of the car under all circumstances,” said Ocon. “It doesn’t matter whether we are twelfth or eighth. The goal is to hold [being] before you, of course, until the end of the year.

“It will be an uphill battle, but we are ready for it and the goal is to finish fifth.”

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