Alonso handed 35-place grid penalty for engine change

Formula One F1 - Japanese Grand Prix 2017 - Suzuka Circuit, Japan - October 7, 2017. McLaren's Fernando Alonso of Spain during a practice. REUTERS/Toru Hanai

SUZUKA, Japan (Reuters) - McLaren's Fernando Alonso will start this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix from the back of the grid after the Spaniard picked up a 35-place penalty when the team's mechanics fitted his car with a fresh power unit on Friday night.

The team broke curfew -- during which members associated with the operation of the car must leave the track -- after the engine the double world champion used on the opening day of practice suffered a hydraulic issue.