2024-09-15 15:49:36
Lewis Hamilton will start the Azerbaijan Grand Prix from the pits after Mercedes fitted a new engine to his car ahead of the Formula 1 race.
The seven-time world champion qualified seventh on Saturday, but the FIA confirmed that Hamilton had changed his fifth engine of the season, exceeding the permitted four.
Mercedes have also made changes to the suspension of the Briton’s car and he will pit alongside Alpine’s Esteban Ocon, who also has a new engine.
Hamilton’s grid penalty boosts the title hopes of Lando Norris, who will start from 15th place instead of 17th. The McLaren driver was eliminated from the first part of qualifying on Saturday.
He will also benefit from the penalty of Pierre Gasly, who was disqualified from qualifying after being found to be in breach of FIA technical rules.
Norris trails three-time world champion Max Verstappen by 62 points in the drivers’ standings.
Charles Leclerc with Ferrari will start first today in Baku, and the Dutchman is sixth on the starting grid.