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Alonso handed late grid drop for Spanish GP

Fernando Alonso will start the Spanish Grand Prix from 20th on the grid after being handed a late penalty ahead of his home race.

Fernando Alonso will start his home race from the back of the grid after Alpine made the decision to execute a power unit change ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix. After a nightmare qualifying session for the Spaniard, Alonso was set to start Sunday's race from 17th on the grid, ahead of only the two Williams cars and Lance Stroll's Aston Martin. But his team have taken the opportunity to complete a fourth power unit change of the season, one more than is permitted, and thus making Alonso the first driver in 2022 to take an engine penalty.

Latifi, Stroll and Albon move up the grid

Alonso will now start the Spanish Grand Prix from 20th on the grid, with Stroll, Albon and Latifi moving forward to start 17th, 18th and 19th respectively. Speaking ahead of his home race, Alonso told members of the media, including RacingNews365.com : "It's a high price to pay here, because as we know it's very difficult to overtake on this track. "Let's see, because in the last few races, people who have started towards the back of the grid have had a well-timed Safety Car and then are inside the top 10. "We need to hope for one of those tomorrow and maybe we get some luck and take some points."

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