After reports that Lewis Hamilton would start from the pit-lane, it is now confirmed that he will start the race from the grid, but down in 20th place.
After a right front brake failure, the Mercedes driver speared towards the tyre barrier at turn 12 during Saturday’s qualifying 1 session and suffered a damaged gearbox, resulting in a 5-place grid penalty, from what would have been his original 15th place starting position.
Mercedes official Twitter account said: “We can confirm @LewisHamilton’s gearbox will be changed for the race owing to accident damage incurred yesterday. 5 place penalty.
“The guys are working on the car now to repair everything for the race. It’s going to be a busy morning!”
The team switched Hamilton’s brand of brakes and there was reports that he will have to start from the pit-lane, after a change of brakes under parc ferme rules say that this would a pit-lane start penalty.
The FIA had a debate with Mercedes to decide where Hamilton starts, and decided that the grid start, but 20th, would suffice.
That decision was based on the regulations that says a team is allowed to change a part that is “similar in mass, inertia and function to the original” without penalty, even under parc ferme regulations.
