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Lewis Hamilton to start German GP in 20th place after grid penalty

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Formula One title contender Lewis Hamilton will drop to 20th on Sunday’s German Grand Prix starting grid after Mercedes changed the gearbox on his car following a crash in qualifying.

Published: Sun 20 Jul 2014, 6:03 PM

Updated: Fri 3 Apr 2015, 10:50 PM

  • By
  • (Reuters)

The Briton, whose championship-leading team mate Nico Rosberg will be on pole position for his home race, qualified 16th on Saturday despite spinning into the barriers early on.

However, he gained a position because Sauber’s Mexican Esteban Gutierrez carried over a three-place demotion from the previous race.

But Mercedes said Hamilton would also have to take a mandatory five-place penalty for the unscheduled gearbox change overnight.

“We can confirm that @LewisHamilton’s gearbox will be changed for the race owing to accident damage incurred yesterday. 5 place penalty,” the team said on their Twitter feed.

Hamilton’s crash, in the first phase of qualifying, was caused by a front brake disc failure and Mercedes indicated on Saturday he would change to a different brand as a safety precaution.

The governing FIA said that would not carry a penalty.

“We can now confirm @LewisHamilton will be starting from 20th on the grid this afternoon. Buckle up!” the team said in a later Twitter post.

Hamilton is four points behind Rosberg at the halfway point in the season with nine races remaining after Hockenheim.



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