Grid penalty change for 2018

The days of McLaren Honda being handed 40 odd place grid penalties will be a thing of the past in 2018.

And not just because McLaren and Honda have gone their separate ways.

The penalty system for the 2018 Formula One World Championship has been simplified.

Unfortunately it doesn’t mean any less of an impact on the actual grid between qualifying and race day, but it will be easier to interpret.

From next season any driver incurring more than a 15-place grid penalty will automatically start from the back of the grid.

For a driver to need more than a 15-place grid penalty they would need to be taking three new power-unit elements, which even for the most unreliable of teams doesn’t happen every race.

A statement from the FIA published on motorsport.com read:

?The change to the power unit penalty system was also approved, whereby if a driver incurs a penalty exceeding 15 grid places he will be required to start the race from the back of the starting grid.

?If more than one driver receives such a penalty they will be arranged at the back of the grid in the order in which the offences were committed.?