APRIL 12, 2012

Hamilton's Chinese GP hopes hit by penalty

Lewis Hamilton's Shanghai hopes have been hit by a five-place grid penalty before a wheel has even been turned in China.

Lewis Hamilton's Shanghai hopes have been hit by a five-place grid penalty before a wheel has even been turned in China.

The 2008 world champion, who took pole position in both Melbourne and Malaysia, has had to have an unscheduled gearbox change, with the rules demanding that each unit must last five grands prix.

Hamilton is expected to use the gearbox he has run at the first two races for Friday practice in China before having it changed for qualifying and the race.

"It won't change my approach," said Hamilton, who has two Shanghai victories under his belt. I won from third on the grid last year, so now I will just have to try to win from further back!"