Grid penalty for Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton is set to serve five-place grid penalty for the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix after gearbox change on his car.

Gearbox on the reigning champion’s F1 W07 sustained some damage during Bahrain Grand Prix and team had to make an unscheduled change. Mercedes team also added that a decision about gearbox change before the race in China is made as Shanghai International Circuit gives more opportunity for overtaking than the next couple of venues in the calendar.

Shanghai is the best place to make the change

“The gearbox of Hamilton’s F1 W07 Hybrid sustained damage in Bahrain which required a physical inspection for a full assessment. Having done so, the decision has been taken to change the gearbox rather than carry any risk moving forwards. Of the next four tracks in the normal cycle, Shanghai is the best place to make the change and take the resulting grid penalty,” says Mercedes team in the statement.

Hamilton has four wins in Shanghai so far and he has won last two races in China, so now he will face the harder task to continue successful string. Not to forget, Lewis is still without a victory in 2016.

Photo: formula1.com