Alonso to run Honda upgrade in Malaysia

Fernando Alonso will run an upgraded Honda power unit during Friday practice at the Malaysian Grand Prix.

Honda has spent two tokens on the upgrade, which focuses on the engine block and exhaust, with one token on each area. The update is primarily designed to reduce weight and increase durability, but requires Friday running in order for Honda to gather more data.

With Honda keen to avoid penalties at its home race in Japan next weekend, Alonso will test the upgraded engine on Friday in FP1 before a decision will be taken on whether to run it in FP2. At this stage, Honda is likely to replace the power unit ahead of Saturday’s running, thus allowing Alonso to run it at Suzuka without penalty.

Alonso will receive a 30-place grid penalty this weekend as a result of the power unit change, as he will use a new internal combustion engine (ICE), MGU-H, energy store, turbo and control electronics. The first of these new components carries a ten-place grid penalty, while the other four all result in addition five-place penalties.

Jenson Button is likely to get the upgrade in Austin, with the team not wanting both drivers to take grid penalties at the same race.

Honda still has one power unit development token left to spend this season if required, but does not plan on using any further upgrades before the end of the year.

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