• Belgian Grand Prix

Webber hit by grid penalty for gearbox change

ESPN Staff
August 31, 2012 « Track conditions would cause red flag - Hulkenberg | De la Rosa predicts tough weekend for HRT »
The penalty will be the second for Mark Webber in three races © Sutton Images
Enlarge
Related Links

Mark Webber will take a five-place grid penalty for the Belgian Grand Prix after a gearbox change.

FIA sporting regulations state that a gearbox must last for five consecutive events, but Red Bull has changed Webber's following the Hungarian Grand Prix. Webber was also hit with a similar punishment when the team was forced to change his gearbox in Germany, meaning that unit has only lasted for two races.

The FIA technical delegate's report on Friday evening stated: "[Webber] did finish the last race in Budapest and this gearbox change was before the five consecutive Events expired. Therefore this is not in compliance with Article 28.6a of the 2012 Formula One Sporting Regulations."

Both Michael Schumacher and Kamui Kobayashi will also take new gearboxes this weekend, but do so without punishment having failed to finish in Hungary.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
ESPN Staff Close