Franco Colapinto receives 15-place grid penalty for Malaysia with new Mercedes engine and Azerbaijan collision punishment.

Franco Colapinto will start from the back of the grid at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia after Alpine decided to take engine penalties while he already faces punishment for his Azerbaijan collision. The Argentine driver receives a 10-place penalty for fitting his fifth Mercedes internal combustion engine of the season, exceeding the four-unit annual allowance.

Colapinto already carries a five-place grid drop from his collision with Pierre Gasly and Lando Norris during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix safety car restart. The combined 15-place penalty means he will likely start on the back row regardless of his qualifying position.

Alpine felt the timing was optimal to introduce fresh power unit components while Colapinto's points chances were already compromised by the existing penalty. The team remains 15 points behind Racing Bulls in their battle for fifth place in the constructors' championship after losing ground in Baku.

Teammate Pierre Gasly is also expected to take new power unit elements over the next few races, but Alpine has not yet decided when to implement those changes and accept the associated grid penalties.