Albon to start Russian GP from pitlane

Alexander Albon will start today’s Russian Grand Prix from the pitlane after Red Bull made a host of changes to his Formula 1 car.

The British-born Thai driver crashed at Turn 14 during qualifying and was subsequently knocked out of Q1 having only managed to set the 18th-fastest time.

Albon was already due to take a five-place grid penalty after Honda introducing a new power unit to his RB15 in a tactical move ahead of the engine manufacturer’s upcoming home race at the Japanese Grand Prix.

With Albon set to start towards the back of the grid, Red Bull opted to change the floor and gearbox on his car, as well as adding fitting additional power unit elements including a fresh turbocharger, MGU-H and MGU-K.

As a result, Albon will start Sunday’s 53-lap race from the pit-lane. His teammate Max Verstappen, also hit with an engine-related penalty, will line-up ninth on the grid after posting the fourth-fastest time in qualifying.

Daniil Kvyat is set to start his home event from the very back of the grid after taking on multiple V6 engine components, with Toro Rosso teammate Pierre Gasly also dropping five positions to 16th.

Albon said after qualifying that he is targeting a top-10 finish, adding: “Obviously starting at the back is never great. I’ve done it a few times this year.

“But it is a good track in terms of fighting and being able to overtake. It’s not a track like Singapore for instance.

“Of course the strategy we can now choose our tyre and everything like that, so we’ll have a look at that and see where we can be.

“I missed out on a bit of long running in FP2 with my floor damage, so we did get a bit in in FP3.

“It looked quite good as well so we’re not too worried, just have to make it work.”