SPIELBERG, Austria -- Lewis Hamilton will receive a five-place grid drop from wherever he qualifies at the Austrian Grand Prix after his Mercedes team incurred a penalty for fitting a new gearbox to his car ahead of qualifying.
Under the regulations, a drivers' gearbox has to last six consecutive races and the change to Hamilton's car in Austria broke that cycle. As a result, the highest he can hope to qualify on Saturday is fifth (assuming other drivers are not penalised moving him forward) giving him a tough challenge in Sunday's race.
The championship is currently finely poised, with Sebastian Vettel just 14 points ahead of Hamilton in the championship.