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Chandhok gets penalty; Hispania sign Yamamoto

SHANGHAI - India’s Karun Chandhok has been given a five-place grid penalty for Sunday’s Grand Prix in Shanghai after the Hispania Racing Team broke a seal on his gearbox following Friday practice.

The 26-year-old must take a penalty as the team opened the gearbox to work on it without an FIA official in attendance, which is a breach of regulations.

The penalty is unlikely to greatly affect the rookie driver, who was 24^th and last after Saturday morning practice at the Shanghai International Circuit.

Hispania, the new Spanish outfit that arrived at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix with no off-season testing following a cash shortfall and change of ownership, have only had both of their cars make the finish line of one of the opening three races of the season.

Chandhok and teammate Bruno Senna were 15^th and 16^th respectively in Malaysia a fortnight ago, and have only once qualified off the back row of the grid in three attempts.

Meanwhile, Hispania have named Japan’s Sakon Yamamoto as their test and reserve driver for the remainder of the season.

The 27-year-old competed in 14 Grands Prix for Super Aguri and Spyker in 2006 and 2007, and has been signed by team boss Colin Kolles as the new squad looks for an experienced test driver to develop the car for Chandhok and Senna, who are both in their debut seasons.

Yamamoto will take part in Friday practice sessions for the team for the remainder of the season.

“It is fantastic to be part of a new team and I hope I will be able to gather useful data whenever possible on Friday for the race drivers,” said Yamamoto, whose last Formula One race was in Brazil in October 2007.

“I have seen how committed everyone at the team is, and I feel the same.