Sergio Perez takes 5-place grid penalty for gearbox change

After a torrid qualifying session yesterday, Mexican driver Sergio Perez will have to take a 5-place grid penalty for todays race due to a gearbox change, after he crashed out of Q1 through the swimming pool section. The Sauber was set to start from the back of the grid regardless, however this penalty will undoubtedly rub salt into wounds after qualifying.

Prior to qualifying yesterday, Pastor Maldonado was issued a 10-place grid penalty for causing an unsporting incident with Sergio Perez, which demoted the Venezuelan from 9th to 19th on the grid. However, after qualifying had ended Williams confirmed that they would have to change Maldonado’s gearbox for the race, which would impose a further 5-place grid penalty upon their driver. This eventuality means Maldonado will start 24th and last for the race, with Sergio Perez alongside him in 23rd.

With passing notoriously difficult around the streets of the Principality, both Pastor Maldonado and Sergio Perez will have a tough afternoon keeping their cars undamaged as well as carving their way through the field. Both drivers’ have raced in GP2 around Monte-Carlo, and both have won in GP2 at Monaco. They will undoubtedly have to call upon all their expertise to have a clean opening lap, as they battle amongst the HRT’s, Marussia’s and Caterham’s at the back of the field.

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