Belgium’s Stoffel Vandoorne was forced to pull out of Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix when his McLaren developed engine problems, his struggling team announced.

McLaren’s Belgian driver Stoffel Vandoorne prepares in the pits during the third practice session ahead of qualifying for the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Sakhir circuit in Manama on April 15, 2017. / AFP PHOTO

The setback left former world champion Fernando Alonso as the sole McLaren-Honda driver on the track at the third race of the season.

“Fernando is flying solo for today’s #BahrainGP due to an issue with Stoffel’s PU (power unit),” the team tweeted.

Vandoorne qualified in 17th place for the race while Alonso was on the eighth row, just two spots ahead.

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