Report: Fernando Alonso to suffer more McLaren engine woe in Austria

McLaren driver Fernando Alonso will be forced to take an engine penalty at this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix, according to reports.

The team has struggled with its new Honda engine this year, and Alonso has retired in four of his six races already.

F1 rules state that a driver is only allowed to use four engines per season and on each occasion an extra one is taken he must incur a 10-place grid penalty.

Autosport claims that McLaren don't expect to be competitive in Austria and would rather Alonso take the penalty there as opposed to the British Grand Prix in two weeks' time.

The team have scored just four points all season.