Michael Schumacher endures 5-place grid drop

After a highly disappointing and somewhat embarrassing qualifying session for the Bahrain Grand Prix, which saw 7-time World Champion Michael Schumacher drop out after Q1 in 18th position, it has been confirmed the German will also suffer a 5-place grid drop due to a gearbox change.

This penalty has been a recurring factor at the opening few races of the season, with the likes of Kimi Raikkonen, Lewis Hamilton and Pastor Maldonado all suffering the consequences of changing a gearbox before the gearbox has completed a certain amount of races.

With the Mercedes driver initially expected to start 18th for the race, the ex-Ferrari Champion will now find himself starting the race from 23rd on the grid and on the back row alongside the HRT of Narain Karthikeyan. However, Mercedes could well opt to change Schumacher’s set-up, which in turn will allow him to start the race from the confines of the pit-lane.

Michael Schumacher’s team-mate, Nico Rosberg, will start the race from 5th place. The German won last time out in China, achieving what was his maiden Grand Prix victory. If Rosberg wishes to repeat such glories, he’ll have to not only control his tyres but also pass the likes of Button, Hamilton and Vettel.

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