Heavy power unit penalties confirmed for both McLarens

Both Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne will take heavy power unit penalties at the Mexican Grand Prix.

After Vandoorne took a full new power unit in Austin, Honda has opted to change the power units in both McLaren cars this weekend because the power unit manufacturer doesn't expect to be competitive at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Both Alonso and Vandoorne will receive the latest specification of Honda's internal combustion engine (ICE) – dubbed 3.8 – in preparation for the final two races in Brazil and Abu Dhabi.

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Vandoorne once again takes a full new power unit, comprising of six new elements – ICE, turbocharger, MGU-H, MGU-K, energy store and control electronics – and carrying a 35-place grid penalty.

For Alonso the penalty is slightly less severe, with a new ICE, turbocharger and MGU-H resulting in a drop of 20 grid positions. The changes take Alonso to his 11th turbocharger and MGU-H, while for Vandoorne it is the 12th of those two components he will have used in 19 races.

The two McLaren drivers will also be joined by Pierre Gasly in having a penalty this weekend, with the Frenchman receiving a fifth control electronics. As Gasly's car has previously used a fifth ICE and turbocharger, the penalty is only five places on the grid.

Gasly is missing FP1 on his return to the Toro Rosso team after his Super Formula title attempt in Japan, with Sean Gelael replacing him on Friday morning.