Renault has reverted to its Spec B engine for the remainder of the Belgian Grand Prix weekend.
The manufacturer introduced its Spec C Internal Combustion Engine at Spa-Francorchamps on Friday, triggering penalties for Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg.
McLaren’s Carlos Sainz Jr. also took on the new component.
But on Saturday morning Renault confirmed that it has reverted to the old specification engine for the rest of the weekend, with Sainz Jr. following suit.
“We have gone back to the Spec B engine for the rest of the weekend,” confirmed Renault.
“The plan is to take penalties at a track where there is a possibility to overtake, while entering a needed extra ICE into our pool for the rest of the year.”
All three drivers will still take five-place grid penalties into qualifying on account of having already used the Spec C engine.
They are half of the six drivers who have grid drops; Alexander Albon, Daniil Kvyat and Lance Stroll will start from the rear of the pack after taking on new power units.
Sergio Perez, meanwhile, has switched to Mercedes’ old-spec power unit after he suffered a failure during the closing stages of Friday practice.
He is not currently set for a grid penalty.
