Alonso set for back of the grid start in home race after engine change

Fernando Alonso is set to start at the back of the grid for his home Grand Prix after having a new Renault power unit put into his Alpine A522.

Alonso qualified 17th but incoming engine penalties will relegate him to the rear of the field for the 2022 Spanish Grand Prix.

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The Alpine driver has taken a fourth internal combustion engine, turbo, MGU-H, MGU-K, plus a third energy store, control electronics (and his fourth of eight allowed exhausts). As he will accrue more than 15 places worth of grid penalties, Alonso will start his home Grand Prix at the back for the first time.

The penalty means Lance Stroll, Alex Albon and Nicholas Latifi are effectively promoted one place apiece on the grid.