Engine change on Alonso's car

[x_dt]

http://www.autosport.com/newsitem.asp?id=26460&s=5

Renault believes that Fernando Alonso was on course for a front row starting slot in Malaysia before the spin in Turn 14 which sentenced him to the back of the grid. In the circumstances, the team has elected to change engine and start Alonso from the pit lane, which also means that the crew can change his fuel load.

Nothing much to lose given that he was going to start towards the back anyway. Will we see this happening with other leading drivers/teams when faced with similar circumstances throughout the season?

[Wrex]

He's not the first I dont think. It would be a pretty obvious policy to look at the changes on the car and a revised fuel strategy.

Lets hope the rules have changed on aborted starts. Mark Webber refuelled after botching his A1-Ring lap last year and had to serve a drive through (thank-you Toyota).

Fisi, make sure you find your grid slot this year.

[jetsetter]

It's not suprising as Alonso has nothing to lose with an engine change.

[Gt_R]

It's not surprising that they change the engine...hmm.. but to make him start from the pitlane is strange though.

Renault/Alonso could easily make up 5 or more places by starting normally, and to give up that advantage porpbalby mean they believe starting him with a different strategy + newer engine (+ a bit more rev which Renault engines need desperately) far outweigh the advantage of a superb start. And overtaking isn't by far the easiest for Renault considering that cars powered by Honda (BAR) and Ferrari (sauber) are pretty much hard to slip-stream down the long straight.

Of course, Renault would certainly factor in the risk of first lap/corner shunt... starting Alonso from the pit may "protect" him from a potential collision, and if lucky, a safety car would put him right back in

[Bleu]

Alonso started from the back last year in Italy and he destroyed his front wing almost instantly.

For him it is safer to start from the pit lane, but of course it's difficult to get places in first lap.

But in Malaysia, every year has had at least small crash
1999 Hill/others
2000 de la Rosa/Diniz/Prosts
2001 R.Schumacher/Barrichello, Irvine/Verstappen
2002 Montoya/M.Schumacher
2003 Trulli/M.Schumacher, Montoya/Pizzonia

[Mr V]

Originally posted on Autosport
the team has elected to change engine and start Alonso from the pit lane,

He didn't start from the pit lane, he started from the back of the grid.

Originally posted by Bleu


But in Malaysia, every year has had at least small crash

First year ever that there has not been an accident at turns 1 or 2