• Bahrain Grand Prix

Schumacher hit with grid penalty

ESPNF1 Staff
April 22, 2012 « F1 should analyse Bahrain decision after race - Brawn | Vettel expected tougher challenge from Raikkonen »
Michael Schumacher will line up in 22nd place unless he opts to start the race from the pit lane © Sutton Images
Enlarge

Michael Schumacher will drop five places on the grid at today's Bahrain Grand Prix for changing his gearbox.

Saturday's qualifying session was a disappointing one for Schumacher, who was knocked out in the first part of qualifying following a problem with his DRS. Despite going out in Q1, Schumacher was elevated to 17th on the grid as a result of Pastor Maldonado's penalty for a gearbox change.

It has now emerged, however, that Mercedes has had to do likewise on Schumacher's car, dropping him back to 22nd on the grid. The team may now decide to start the race from the pit lane in order to be allowed to make changes to the setup of the car if required.

It's yet more bad luck for Schumacher, who has only scored one point so far this season. He retired from second place in last weekend's Chinese Grand Prix after a pit stop error by Mercedes, with his team-mate Nico Rosberg going on to take victory.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
ESPN Staff Close