Perez gets gearbox-change penalty

Sergio Perez will have a five-place grid penalty for the Brazilian Grand Prix after McLaren elected to change his gearbox ahead of the race.

The Mexican, having his last race with the Woking-based outfit, had been due to start 14th at Interlagos. He achieved that despite crashing into the barriers at Turn 5 on his final Q2 lap.

Inspection of his damaged car uncovered a problem with the gearbox, so the team has decided to change it for a new unit. It means Perez will slip to 19th on the grid.

"I was trying to improve on my final lap, but I couldn't find any grip at all," said Perez of the accident. "The crash looked far worse than it was."