Franco Colapinto on verge of F1 grid penalty after engine change

Franco Colapinto is on the cusp of a 10-place grid penalty after Alpine put a fourth internal combustion engine (ICE) into the back of his car at the Spanish Grand Prix.

As per the FIA technical regulations, a driver is allowed to use up to four ICE units throughout an F1 season.

Having taken over Team Enstone's second car from Jack Doohan until at least the Austrian Grand Prix, the Argentine will use the fourth and final fresh ICE on that half of the Alpine garage at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The first three remain in the pool of available components.

After the first penalty for a component infraction, all subsequent penalties are for five positions only.

Colapinto will also have a new exhaust system (EX) this weekend, which is the fifth one used on that car this year. However, a maximum of eight are permitted until a penalty is incurred.

The 22-year-old is still searching for his first points of the season, having gone scoreless in Imola and Monaco, his first two races for the French squad.

Whilst he was initially confirmed for just five rounds, starting at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Flavio Briatore appeared to backtrack on that arrangement over that weekend.

The Italian, who has assumed many of departed team principal Oliver Oakes' responsibilities, also confirmed he told Colapinto to satisfy three criteria: Be fast, score points, and do not crash.

It is currently unknown whether the former Williams driver will remain in the race seat for the British Grand Prix in July.