Nico Hulkenberg incurs five-place grid penalty

Nico Hulkenberg is set to incur a five-place grid penalty ahead of tomorrow’s Japanese Grand Prix, after his Force India mechanics were forced to change his gearbox after the final practice session prior to qualifying at Suzuka. This will see Hulkenberg drop from 10th on the grid to 15th for tomorrow’s race.

The German driver endured a frustrating final practice prior to the all-important qualifying session, after the 25-year-old lost control of his car through turn nine and embedded it into the retaining barriers. In the period between final practice and qualifying, the Force India mechanics carried out a miraculous job of rebuilding his car, however a gearbox change was required during this period.

Nico Hulkenberg will be striving for a competitive race from 15th on the grid, as he remains a contender to replace Felipe Massa at Ferrari next season.

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