Mercedes AMG Petronas
Reigning World Champion Lewis Hamilton has been handed a five place grid penalty for this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix due to a gearbox change.
Mercedes assessed Hamilton's W07 Hybrid following the Bahrain Grand Prix, in which he was hit by Valtteri Bottas at the start, and concluded that the gearbox needs changing.
As the change has come before the six race limit, Hamilton will consequently drop five places on the grid from wherever he qualifies.
"The gearbox sustained damage in Bahrain which required a physical inspection for full assessment," Mercedes confirmed on social media.
"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.
"The Shanghai International Circuit has good overtaking opportunities, so plenty of chance for Lewis to get the hammer down."
Hamilton currently trails Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg by 17 points.
