Gearbox change grid penalty for Kimi

Source: autosport.com

Kimi Raikkonen is to lose five places on the grid for the Malaysian Grand Prix after a gearbox change following the second free practice.

Shortly after the session concluded, Lotus wrote on Twitter that an issue with the Finn’s gearbox meant it would be changed before the start of the third and final practice session.

The team confirmed the change to AUTOSPORT, meaning Raikkonen looks set to lose five places.

The problem arose after Raikkonen went off the track during the Australian Grand Prix, where his radiator was filled with grass clippings, thus overheating the gearbox during the race.

A post-race analysis showed the gearbox’s bearing cage had started to fail and so the team has been forced to replace it as it was unsure it would last another race distance.

The change follows an unhappy qualifying session in Australia, when the Finn failed to make it out of Q1 when he backed off a flying lap in the mistaken belief he had time to make it to the line before the chequered flag came out.

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Lotus_F1Team wrote:

A bit more work for Kimi’s crew this evening. An issue with Kimi’s gearbox so we’re changing it now.