Hulkenberg and Magnussen set for Austrian GP grid drops

Hulkenberg is on his 5th Power Unit already as Renault scrambles to catch the big boys

Nico Hulkenberg will move on par in terms of power output with Renault team mate Daniel Ricciardo after the French manufacturer opted to give him their engine upgrade ahead of final practice for the Austrian Grand Prix.

Ricciardo was the first to run the unit in France, but as Hulkenberg was on the brink of penalties, the German didn't take the new engine – and thus the penalties – because it was their home race.

On Friday morning, Renault confirmed Hulkenberg would run his fifth internal combustion engine (ICE) – at what is the ninth race of the season – in Austria, which means a five-place grid penalty.

It comes after Carlos Sainz Jr., whose McLaren team run Renault power, took a completely fresh unit including the new ICE ahead of Friday practice and then a new gearbox, confining him to the back of the grid.

He’ll be joined down there by Toro Rosso’s Alexander Albon, who fitted the new Honda spec 3 a race after his team mate Daniil Kvyat ran it in France, before Friday running.

He then took another new ICE, turbo, MGU-H and MGU-K ahead of Saturday practice to trigger more penalties, which are effectively meaningless given he’s starting at the back anyway.

Kevin Magnussen meanwhile will take a five-place grid drop for a gearbox change, after Haas confirmed the switch following issues on the Dane's car during FP3.