F1: Hulkenberg given gearbox penalty

Nico Hulkenberg will be hit with a five-place grid penalty for the Russian Grand Prix thanks to a gearbox change.

The German retired from the Japanese GP last weekend after suffering what turned out to be gearbox problem and pulling off the circuit near the pit exit (pictured). But he was classified eighth on countback thanks to the race being red flagged.

As Hulkenberg's gearbox had not been used for six consecutive events, as the regulations stipulate, he will be given the penalty after qualifying. Had he not been officially considered to be running at the finish in Japan, he would have been allowed to change the gearbox without penalty.

Both Kimi Raikkonen and Esteban Gutierrez have also taken new gearboxes, although neither will be penalized as their previous units were at the end of their six-event lifespan.