Toro Rosso's Daniil Kvyat is set to start the French Grand Prix from the rear of the grid after a complete engine change.
Honda introduced its Spec 3 engine for this weekend’s event at Paul Ricard, with Kvyat – along with Red Bull pair Max Verstappen and Pierre Gasly – taking on the new components.
All three have taken on new ICEs, MGU-Hs and Turbochargers, but Kvyat – already facing a penalty – has also taken on a new MGU-K, Energy Store and Control Electronics.
It means he is to start from the back of the grid, under the Formula 1 engine penalty system.
When asked by Motorsport Week whether he will focus more on race pace, Kvyat said: “Yes, perhaps… I would agree with that.
“Either way I think I will start more or less last – I don’t really know the rules – so I don’t think qualifying will be a big focus for me.”
It leaves Alexander Albon as the only Honda-powered driver still using Spec 2.
On Thursday, Albon, adopting a slightly miffed stance, commented: “The way I see it I think, yeah, we knew whatever we do now we’re going to get a penalty for it.
“So on my side of the garage we were looking quite good with the engine. Dany maybe was a bit closer to the limit so they decided to change earlier than I did. That was about it really. Yeah.”
