5-place penalty for Bianchi in Abu Dhabi
Jules Bianchi received a 5-place grid penalty for changing his gearbox before the regulatory 5 Grand Prix.
Following his off-track excursion during Free Practice 3, which damaged the rear of his Marussia, the Russian team had to work on the Frenchman’s MR02 and was forced to change the gearbox that was supposed to be used for the race. Since the latter hadn’t completed the mandatory 5 Grand Prix, Bianchi was penalized.
The Nice native received a 5-place grid penalty for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as stipulated by the sporting regulations of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship.
Bianchi, who had set the 20th fastest time in Q1 behind van der Garde’s Caterham but ahead of Pic’s and his Marussia teammate Max Chilton, will start from the 22nd and last position on the grid. Pic and Chilton each gain a place on the grid after this penalty is applied.
The two Marussia cars will therefore be on the last row of the starting grid tomorrow at the Yas Marina circuit, and the two Caterham cars on the second to last row of the grid.
