Formula 1: Lewis Hamilton hit with grid penalty for Bahrain Grand Prix
By Asher Fair
Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton was hit with a five-place grid penalty for the Bahrain Grand Prix as a result of a gearbox change.
After a disappointing result in the 2018 Formula 1 season opener, the Australian Grand Prix, following an unfortunate early virtual safety car period that sent Scuderia Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel to the front, where he stayed until the checkered flag flew, four-time and defending Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton’s weekend at the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix has not started out well.
The polesitter and second place finisher in the Australian Grand Prix finished fifth quickest and fourth quickest in the first and second practice session around the 15-turn, 5.412-mile (3.363-mile) Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, which is nowhere near where he is used to being in practice sessions, qualifying sessions or races.
Now Hamilton has been hit with a five-place grid penalty for Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix as a result of a gearbox change, meaning he can start no higher than sixth place in the race.
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The reason for Hamilton’s five-place grid penalty for this gear box change comes as a result of the fact that this gearbox change came before the first six races of the season were completed. In fact, with only the Australian Grand Prix in the books, not even two of the mandatory races were completed before this gearbox change.
Last season, Hamilton started outside the top 5 in only three races. He started in 13th place in the Monaco Grand Prix and went on to finish 7th. Then in the Austrian Grand Prix, he started in 8th before going on to finish in 4th. Finally in the Brazilian Grand Prix, he started all the way in last place in 20th before going on to finish in 4th.
While starting outside of the top 5 will make Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix tough for Hamilton, especially given the fact that he failed to finish in the top 3 in both of the two practice sessions, a great result is certainly not out of the question for him by any means.
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How will Lewis Hamilton race in Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix following his five-place grid penalty? Be sure to tune in to the live broadcast of the race from Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain on ESPN2 starting at 11:00 am ET on ESPN2.