Max Versta🗹ppen and Pierre Gasly will receive grid penalties at this weekend’s Italian Gra🍰nd Prix after Honda confirmed it would be introducing its latest-spec Formula 1 engine for both drivers. 

The Japanese manufacturer opted to split the introduction its ‘⛄Spec 4’ power unit between back-to-back races in Belgium and Italy, with new Red Bull recruit Alexander Albon and Toro Rosso’s Daniil Kvyat tak💦ing grid drops at Spa.

Honda will run the latest upgrade with all four drivers for the first time at Monza, with Verstappen and Gasly tak𒉰ing subsequent penalties at a circuit neither team is expecting to be particularly competitive at given its power-hungry꧟ nature.

“From a PU point of view, the main development is that we plan to run the Spec 4 PU with all f🤡ourꦺ drivers for the first time, after just Albon and Kvyat ran it in Belgium,” said Honda technical director Toyoharu Tanabe.

“For their first race with Spec 4, Gasly and Verstappen will therefore take grid penalties and s♎tart 🅠from the back of grid, but we believe they can still race strongly on Sunday.

“We gath꧟ered useful data in Spa, which we have used to make chang🌱es to PU settings and calibration in preparation for this race.

“We will try to maximize the potential of Spec 4🧜 and hope to get another positive result, maintaining the momentum we gain🍰ed in Spa.”

The introduction of Honda’s ‘Spec 4’ engine after just 13 races reflects its aggressive development approach this year in its bid to reduce the deficit🌠 to rivals Ferrari and Mer꧒cedes.