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Vandoorne knew F1 engine penalties were inevitable in 2017

Stoffel Vandoorne says he was not surprised to pick up his first engine penalty of the Formula 1 season in Russia last weekend, believing it was just a matter of time given Honda's power unit problems.

McLaren has endured a difficult start to the season that has seen its Honda power unit lack both reliability and power, leaving it at the foot of the constructors' championship after four rounds.

Vandoorne picked up a 15-place grid penalty at the Russian Grand Prix after exceeding the maximum number of power unit elements allowed for the season in just four races.

With 16 rounds to go, Vandoorne is likely to face a litany of grid drops through the remainder of the campaign, but the Belgian knew that such a situation was likely.

"Well I think it was only a matter of time really after the issues we had in winter testing, and going to the first races with so many issues," Vandoorne said.

"It was only a matter of time to get the grid penalties, so unfortunately this weekend already in the fourth race we are taking some grid penalties.

"I think this is just the situation we are in at the moment and whatever happens next we just have to wait and see." 

Zdroj: crash.net