Antonio Giovinazzi is expected to become the first driver to pick up an engine-related grid penalty this weekend in Baku.
His Alfa Romeo team is set to take the updated control electronics from Ferrari which was first used by the works team and Haas last time out in China.
While teammate Kimi Raikkonen will only be taking his second and final of that component permitted all season, Giovinazzi will be onto his third resulting in a 10-place grid drop.
“I’m going to Baku pumped up and with some good vibes,” he said ahead of the weekend.
“I have very good memories as I won two races when I drove in GP2, I like the track and I hope that I can improve my performance and get the maximum potential out of the car.”
Also Read:
- Giovinazzi confident result will come as he gains experience at Alfa Romeo
- Alfa Romeo relieved at Raikkonen’s engine reliability after P9 in China
- Ferrari wary of ‘special demands’ on the engine along Baku’s straight
The Italian might not be the only driver at risk either, with no news yet on if Nico Hulkenberg will need a new MGU-K after his problem in Shanghai.
But both Renault and Ferrari will be hoping their fragile power units can survive the first big test of 2019 down the long straights of Baku’s street circuit.