Hamilton gets five-place grid penalty
Lewis Hamilton will take a five-place gird penalty at Suzuka, once the starting order for the race has been decided.
Hamilton will have to change his gearbox before tomorrow’s delayed qualifying session, resulting in the penalty, meaning he will definitely start no higher than sixth.
Drivers are allowed to change their gearboxes every four races without a penalty. Hamilton last changed his gearbox at Spa.
McLaren are still deciding whether or not to run their new rear wing tomorrow.
Update: More from McLaren:
In P3 today, we noticed abnormal gearbox oil pressure on Lewis’s car, which we believed we had corrected ahead of this afternoon’s qualifying session.
This afternoon, as we fired up Lewis’s car several times in preparation for qualifying, we became aware that the symptoms were worse than we’d originally diagnosed, and a decision was later taken to change the gearbox ahead of tomorrow’s qualifying session and the grand prix.
As a result, Lewis will receive a five-place grid penalty for tomorrow’s race.
2010 Japanese Grand Prix
- Force India pair expect busy Friday
- Technical review: Japanese Grand Prix
- Tom Hitchings watches the Japanese GP at Suzuka
- Massa pleased by di Montezemolo’s support
- Hamilton takes heart from McLaren pace
- Mercedes admit missed opportunity to keep Schumacher in front of Rosberg
- Alonso says five drivers can still win title
- 2010 Japanese Grand Prix: the complete F1 Fanatic race weekend review
- Who was the best driver of the Japanese Grand Prix weekend? (Poll)
- Dominant win for Vettel piles pressure on Webber (Red Bull race review)
Image © www.mclaren.com
damonsmedley (@damonsmedley) said on 9th October 2010, 10:43
Is this because of the crash?! If so it seemed to damage only the front of the car to me…
Feynman said on 9th October 2010, 10:53
They generally don’t use their race engine or gearbox on Friday, so you’d have to doubt it.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) said on 9th October 2010, 10:53
Teams aren’t required to use gearboxes from their restricted allocation in first and second practice, so I doubt it very much.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) said on 9th October 2010, 11:52
Got some more from McLaren, have updated the story above.
EGC said on 9th October 2010, 10:54
Looking at this pisture, I would say, yes…the crash.
http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-photos/5646/2010-japanese-formula-1-grand-prix-friday/163636/#163636
Alex Bkk (@alex-bkk) said on 9th October 2010, 11:20
Yes that left rear is a bit wonky.
Sush Meerkat said on 9th October 2010, 14:11
That is a bit wonky Alex Bkk, I’ll email McLaren, my mate owns a garage and can sort out the camber for them.
:D
US_Peter (@us_peter) said on 9th October 2010, 18:51
They’re apparently now reporting that the damage is from the crash in Singapore… Seems like they should have thoroughly examined everything under a microscope after a crash like that.
malayguy said on 9th October 2010, 10:47
poor hamilton, his bad luck continue
Red Andy (@red-andy) said on 9th October 2010, 13:23
He was quite lucky earlier on in the season, especially with inheriting the win in Turkey and benefiting from a few important stewards’ calls. So maybe this is just his fortune balancing out – it often does over the course of a season.
Maksutov said on 9th October 2010, 14:49
http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2010/6/10907.html
so does for other drivers.
SYM said on 9th October 2010, 20:39
Its not just bad luck, I’m always suspicious when it come to to stuff going wrong on Lewis’ car. How many car failures has he had in comparison to his team mate.
There is obviously something wrong with the way his equipment gets treated at Mclaren.
Lewis has made every team mate he had look ordinary and has out driven every second rate car McLaren produced.
Of course most ppl hear will say ‘ oh hear we go again, another Ham fan screaming racism’
Whatever, WE KNOW THE SCORE..
Is it too much to say that someone within Mclaren is being payed by Eccelstone to sabotage Lewis….nothing would surprise me about how far racists would go to prove ther superiorityy against others they deem as a threat to their sick beliefs!!! :(
Beerwulf said on 9th October 2010, 20:55
Is this satire?
Assuming it isn’t, I think that it’s possible than HAM’s car suffers more mechanical problems because of how hard he drives it. The mechanical problems are the downside of being fast on track.
SYM said on 9th October 2010, 21:11
You go on telling yourself that. People outside the UK are wise to the hatred and undermining that go Lewis’ way…its just keeps getting nastier and more subtle…DISGRACE
Lewis Hamilton has more racing talent in his little toe than 99% of the current F1 grid!
On a separate issue, why does the FIA do nothing about Red Bulls clearly illegal and dangerous flexible wings. We’ve had two accident because of these wings and yet the FIA does nothing!
Skett said on 9th October 2010, 22:14
Wow, you’re an oppinionated one aren’t you! Not that I’ll hold it against you cause I am as well!
But seriously, Hamilton’s style is far more aggresive/violent than Buttons, so things will break more often. Same thing with Vettel over Webber.
I’ve done a little racing myself and can vouch for that one (I’m somewhat overly aggresive in style – has got me in trouble more than once).
Sush Meerkat said on 9th October 2010, 21:06
Stop with that speculation SYM, its all in your head mate.
Dizzy-A (@david-a) said on 9th October 2010, 22:07
No, you’re right SYM. Gearbox failures (what are those?) have never, ever happened in the 60 year history of the sport, but suddenly, one happens to Lewis Hamilton.
It stinks to high heaven how badly Mclaren treat him, what with the 15 years of funding, support and race winning machinery they always give him.
You show all the signs of someone who has watched this sport for so much longer than 3 years, and embody the true meaning of an “F1 Fanatic”.
SYM said on 9th October 2010, 22:36
Not thats here or there, but I’ve followed the sport for over twenty five years, which would guess is way before you were able to spell F1 ;)
Dizzy-A (@david-a) said on 9th October 2010, 22:48
Well, you’ve got to use any knowledge you’ve garnered to provide evidence before making claims about racism and sabotage, otherwise no-one will take you seriously ;)
steph said on 9th October 2010, 22:14
“Of course most ppl hear will say ‘ oh hear we go again, another Ham fan screaming racism’”
That’s exactly what you’re doing though. It lacks any real basis and is pretty unfair of the entire Woking squad who went out on a limb and gave him a drive in the first place. I understand you’re upset and I’m sorry but you’re not providing any real evidence for your statement.
SYM said on 9th October 2010, 22:46
“pretty unfair of the entire Woking squad who went out on a limb and gave him a drive in the first place”
Lewis won every trophy going on his way to F1. Ron Dennis and Tag Hauer’s Mansour Ojjeh supported him in his career because they saw real talent emerging year after year; he is the outstanding racing driver of his generation.
You make it sound as if the “Woking squad” is a charity for ethnic minorities!
Dizzy-A (@david-a) said on 9th October 2010, 22:51
The “Woking Squad” (clearly) work very hard to give Lewis the best machinery possible to showcase his talent. That’s why claiming that “There is obviously something wrong with the way his equipment gets treated at Mclaren” isn’t going to go down well on a website of mostly knowledgable fans.
MattW said on 10th October 2010, 1:17
“There is obviously something wrong with the way his equipment gets treated at Mclaren.”
“Of course most ppl hear will say ‘ oh hear we go again, another Ham fan screaming racism’”
Whats the weather like on your planet? How do you get racism out of Hamilton’s gearbox getting replaced? Being able to imagine that someone at McLaren is sabotaging Hamilton’s equipment is pretty good. It didn’t occur to you it’s how hard he drives his equipment (at times unnecessarily hard eg Monza 2009)
F1iLike said on 9th October 2010, 10:49
You make your own luck.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) said on 9th October 2010, 10:55
How? Because I’d like some…
F1iLike said on 9th October 2010, 11:06
I think it was someone in Lost who said it to Hurley.. Not sure who.. Probably been said before, but that’s where I got it from.. Never made alot of sense to me either though xD Other than not runnin in to Massa, and (arguably) not race aggressive defendor Webber so hard ;)
gabal said on 9th October 2010, 11:47
I think the saying is more connected to the other popular saying – “You will reap what you sow” but with a twist. The way I see it it means you don’t want to be a slave to the fate and sit idly because everything is predetermined in your life but you can take the matters into your hands and “make your own luck”.
Mike said on 10th October 2010, 6:06
If I didn’t restrain my self I’d discuss how I think the future is (in effect) pre determined and that therefor luck, can only be used to describe the trend of events for any particular person/object.
… … … But I better not….
sulzerpower said on 9th October 2010, 16:50
Martin Brundle has been saying ‘you make your own luck’ throughout his commentating career. To an extent it can be true if you are in a position to make certain decisions in your life.
Skett said on 9th October 2010, 22:15
I think what is meant from the saying is that you will notice the good luck over the bad, so the more attempts you make, the more good luck you’ll get.
Not sure whether it applies in F1 though, people don’t usually get too many chances!
Hare (@hare) said on 9th October 2010, 22:54
Think there’s an app for that Keith…
Uncle Bob said on 10th October 2010, 0:25
Dont say that, it might be the bad variety!
Keamo said on 10th October 2010, 1:05
ha ha ha , me too.
Laugan said on 9th October 2010, 12:18
Not always!
NOthing is absolute.
50/50
gabal said on 9th October 2010, 13:46
Of course but it is better to try and do something to fight the circumstances then sit idly and moan about bad luck or destiny…
BBT said on 9th October 2010, 15:21
I agree to a degree but you’ve used if out of context.
It is a term often used in regards to sport… but it is a term used to explain the elite and when their skill / ability help them achieve what would seem impossible… i.e it seems lucky… make your own luck. NOT when something unlucky happens.
gabal said on 9th October 2010, 17:15
Well, to clear things F1iLike used it first, I merely jumped in to try to explain the saying.
Bono said on 9th October 2010, 10:58
And where did you get the info? There are no twitts and reports anywhere, just here.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) said on 9th October 2010, 11:00
From McLaren.
Johnny86 said on 9th October 2010, 11:01
So is it confirm?
Gill said on 9th October 2010, 11:04
How does FIA keep track of any gear box change ? Do they dismntle the car in the scruitneering bay ? How do they make out ?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) said on 9th October 2010, 11:09
They put seals on the gearboxes. If the seal is broken or changed, they know the gearbox has been accessed or replaced.
Alex Bkk (@alex-bkk) said on 9th October 2010, 11:07
Oh my… I just read and interview on Hamilton where he said that bad things happen in threes.
I also heard a rumor that Macca will not be running the rear new rear wing @ Suzuka.
That is very bad news for him and Macca.
d-d said on 9th October 2010, 11:26
paradoxally, this may actually help him finish the race and score important points. Will turn out Sunday.
US_Peter (@us_peter) said on 9th October 2010, 17:50
Either that or it may prompt him to drive even more erratic out of desperation… Hopefully for his sake he can keep a clear head and stay calm.
cyanide (@cyanide) said on 9th October 2010, 11:31
Hell yeah! Down to 4 or 3 contenders now :D Bye bye Hamilton.
Sparky Jay said on 9th October 2010, 11:38
This is the sentiment that i only ever see with regard to Hamilton. You obviously have a favourite driver who you think can’t beat Him. I want all 5 to stay in the fight to the bitter end.
BS said on 9th October 2010, 13:11
It’s the sentiment I’ve been seeing regading both Vettel and Alonso here pretty much since the season started, and much more vicious at that.
Maksutov said on 9th October 2010, 14:48
Doesn’t change things a great deal, Hamilton will still be in the fight. Besides other drivers of the 5 you talk about also had reliability problems through out the year which resulted in grid penalties. e.g:
http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2010/6/10907.html
That’s the part of the game.
Enigma said on 9th October 2010, 13:27
Hamilton will start the race in 8th or 9th position. From there he may get up to 5th or 6th, which keeps him in the title hunt. But it’s very likely he’ll be 5th in the standings after the race.
BasCB said on 9th October 2010, 17:15
Who knows, he might still get a solid podium out of it, as Hamilton is not shying away from overtakes.
Certainly he is better off replacing the gearbox than risking another DNF.
US_Peter (@us_peter) said on 9th October 2010, 17:52
And any of the other four could just as easily have a DNF, so you really can’t write any of them off just yet.
AGBNyC said on 9th October 2010, 22:02
Absolutely – much better to discover this problem now than have another DNF.
The race is still a lottery and Suzuka is a track that one can pass on.
Not ideal… but definitely not the end to his title run…
Ninja said on 9th October 2010, 22:14
wow, bye bye Ham. or crash to the wall again!! lol
zecks said on 9th October 2010, 11:54
that is a shame, i guess it really is a 3 horse race now
Adrian said on 9th October 2010, 16:46
I’d wait until after the race, Button could win it while Webber punts Alonso off the road and Hamilton and Vettel complete the podium…that’d open things right up again!!
US_Peter (@us_peter) said on 9th October 2010, 17:52
Doubtful, but it’d sure be great for the championship!
zecks said on 9th October 2010, 19:12
if that happens, i’ll eat my hat adrian
Hare (@hare) said on 9th October 2010, 22:55
You call your hat ‘Adrian’? Sounds like it’ll be an emotional farewell when you eat it then..
Dave said on 9th October 2010, 11:58
sad sad situation. What can i say? this is life! :( I think lewis should give up on the wdc and end the championship like he did last year. He sould forget about the standing and enjoy!
Rogan Thomson said on 9th October 2010, 12:02
VERY ahead of the game there Keith. Nobody else at all seemed to have picked up on this until just now (its scrolling as a headline on BBC Sport site but with no supporting story). Good job!!
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) said on 9th October 2010, 12:03
Thanks :-)
Alex Bkk (@alex-bkk) said on 9th October 2010, 12:11
Yes you scooped the Internet on that one :)
Hare (@hare) said on 9th October 2010, 22:57
If you look up the definition of the word, ‘fanatic’ in Wikipedia you’ll find a picture of Keith…
… I know cos I just uploaded it there! :D
( jk )
Rahim RG said on 9th October 2010, 12:05
Fortune favours the Brave….We know he’s brave in every Condition…Lets see what happens
Calum said on 9th October 2010, 12:32
Oh great this is so gut renching…he has to and needs to have his best race tomorrow and it also need to rain… :’(
bowa said on 9th October 2010, 12:36
aww… hope he can have a good race tmr..