All Renault-powered drivers get new-spec units for Canada

Carlos Sainz Junior (SPA), Renault Sport
©WRI

All six drivers with Renault power units will get upgrades for this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix.

Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen, McLaren's Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne, and works team drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Carlos Sainz will be on an equal footing for this weekend's race.

Renault had previously announced that it would be rolling out its first major upgrade of the season at Montreal but had been unsure whether all drivers would get the new V6 in time.

Availability of some components could have meant some drivers having to hold on to their existing power units for another race before receiving the upgrade in France.

But the FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer has confirmed that all six drivers have received new internal combustion engines and MGU-H components for this weekend.

Everyone except Alonso also receives a new new traction control unit. Alonso already received a new unit at a previous event. He does however receive a new MGU-K for Canada - his second of the season.

In addition, Verstappen, Hulkenberg and Sainz get their first new control electronics systems of the season.

Honda have also upgraded power unit elements for Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley this weekend.

And Ferrari is rolling out a new ICE and MGU-H for Sebastian Vettel, and traction control units for Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen.

Sauber drivers Charles Leclerc and Marcus Ericsson and Haas duo Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen had already opted to take the engine upgrade last time out in Monaco.

Raikkonen meanwhile has to wait for the new engine, having already taken his second original-specification ICE of the season in Spain.

However Mercedes has been forced to delay upgrades to their six works team and customer cars due to reliability concerns.

So far everyone is within their allowed component usage, meaning that none of the changes listed will incur grid penalties.

After problems with his MGU-K in Monaco, Ricciardo has avoided a penalty by reverting to an old unit last used in China. Red Bull boss Christian Horner insisted that the team wasn't unduly concerned about the situation.

"No more worried than normal to be honest," Horner told Sky Sports F1. "It's done a few events and a bit of mileage. It's his first unit that's gone back in the car, he's got no others available. Hopefully he'll be alright."

However the Australian is on the cusp of being penalised when he makes any more changes in 2018. That will be a major setback to his hopes of featuring in the title battle at the end of the season.

Power Element Usage

DriverICETCMGU-HMGU-KESCE
Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton111111
Valtteri Bottas111122
Ferrari
Sebastian Vettel222112
Kimi Räikkönen232112
Red Bull/TAG Heuer
Daniel Ricciardo333222
Max Verstappen232312
Force India/Mercedes
Sergio Pérez111121
Esteban Ocon111111
Williams/Mercedes
Lance Stroll111111
Sergey Sirotkin111111
Renault
Nico Hülkenberg223112
Carlos Sainz223112
Toro Rosso/Honda
Brendon Hartley333222
Pierre Gasly333222
Haas/Ferrari
Romain Grosjean222111
Kevin Magnussen222122
McLaren/Renault
Fernando Alonso222211
Stoffel Vandoorne222112
Sauber/Ferrari
Marcus Ericsson222111
Charles Leclerc222111

Notes:

  • ICE: Internal Combustion Engine
  • TC: Turbo Charger
  • MGU-H: Motor Generator Unit – Heat
  • MGU-K: Motor Generator Unit – Kinetic
  • ES: Energy Store
  • CE: Control Electronics

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