Lewis Hamilton: Mercedes driver to start Azerbaijan GP from pit lane after taking new engine ahead of Baku race
Lewis Hamilton will start the Azerbaijan Grand Prix from the pit lane; Mercedes driver originally qualified seventh but incurred a penalty for taking a new engine; watch the Azerbaijan GP live on Sky Sports F1 at 12pm on Sunday, with build-up from 10.30am
Lewis Hamilton will start the Azerbaijan Grand Prix from the pit lane after being penalised for exceeding his power unit allowance for the season.
The seven-time world champion qualified seventh for Mercedes in Baku on Saturday, but has since installed a fifth power unit of the season on his W15, resulting in a start from the pit lane.
Mercedes confirmed the decision to Sky Sports F1 before it had been announced by the FIA, explaining that the team have known they would need to introduce an additional power unit to Hamilton’s pool since an engine failure saw him retire from the Australian Grand Prix in March.
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In later confirming the breach, the FIA said that Hamilton had also made changes to the setup of his car, a move that alone would also result in a pit lane start.
Hamilton’s penalty further adds to a topsy-turvy grid for Sunday’s race, live on Sky Sports F1 at midday, with title-chasing Lando Norris starting down the field after making a shock Q1 exit.
Mercedes’ decision to take a penalty for Hamilton does provide a slight boost for Norris, who climbs to 15th on the grid, having now moved up two places from his initial position of 17th after Alpine’s Pierre Gasly was disqualified from qualifying.
