Hamilton penalised over gearbox change in Bahrain

MANAMA (AFP) –

Mercedes‘ British driver Lewis Hamilton drives during the qualifing session at the Bahrain International Circuit in Manama on April 20, 2013 ahead of the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix. The Briton will be demoted five places on the grid for Sunday’s race after his team changed his gearbox.

Britain’s 2008 Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton will be demoted five places on the grid for Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix after his team changed his gearbox on Saturday.

Hamilton – in his first season with Mercedes after moving from McLaren – came to a complete stop after the final practice session prompting his mechanics to change the gearbox.

However, under FIA rules, gearboxes are not allowed to be changed until after the fifth Grand Prix of the season.

Hamilton will start five places lower on the grid than his final qualifying position later on Saturday.

Two other drivers will also start lower down than their final qualifying position.

Red Bull’s Mark Webber will start three places lower and Mexican Esteban Gutierrez five places in his Sauber because of infractions in last Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix.