Nico Rosberg may face a grid penalty in Hungary, as the team will not be able to determine whether they will need to fit a new gearbox to his car following his issues at the British Grand Prix. Under the regulations, taking a new gearbox in Hungary would lead to a five-place grid penalty for the race.
Near the end of the British Grand Prix, Rosberg began to have issues shifting his gearbox. This led to significant issues and the team was forced to advise him on the team radio on how to drive with the issue. The FIA later penalized Rosberg for violating the new radio clampdown regulations and he dropped a position in the results.
The team has been unable to determine whether there is any physical damage to the gearbox which would require a replacement, as they are not able to fully inspect the gearbox’s components. Mercedes’ early inspections and analyses into the issue have been inconclusive.
Under the current technical regulations of the sport, the FIA fit special seals to the gearbox upon its first use. This prevents teams from replacing or modifying any significant components of the gearbox. Mercedes will not be permitted to make repairs to the gearbox until the Hungarian Grand Prix, where they will be under the FIA’s supervision, as required by the regulations.
If repairs made to the gearbox are unsuccessful, Rosberg would be given a five-place grid penalty for the race because the team would need to change the gearbox. The gearbox, which was changed after Rosberg’s crash during the third free practice session at the Austrian Grand Prix, was originally forecast to last until the Italian Grand Prix.
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