FIA confirms fresh power units for Ricciardo, Hulkenberg

Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg are set to start Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix from the final row of the grid after the FIA confirmed both drivers had taken complete new power units ahead of the Monza race weekend.

Red Bull confirmed last weekend at Spa it was planning to take a fresh power unit for Ricciardo to allow him to move onto the C-spec Renault engine, giving a performance boost for the remainder of the season despite the penalty that would follow.

In the regular technical bulletin issued after the start of practice at Monza on Friday, it was confirmed both Ricciardo and Renault driver Hulkenberg had opted to take a complete set of power unit parts, resulting in a demotion to the back of the grid for both drivers.

Each driver will have an additional internal combustion engine, turbocharger, MGU-H, MGU-K, control electronics and energy store for the remainder of the season, both exceeding their season allocation.

Renault’s decision to take a fresh power unit on Hulkenberg’s car is a tactical move as a result of his 10-place grid penalty at Monza for causing the Turn 1 accident at Spa last Sunday.