Why Hamilton won't get Canada penalty despite gearbox change

Lewis Hamilton took on a new gearbox as part of an entire rear-end rebuild after crashing in the second practice session at the Canadian Grand Prix. The reigning champion can rest easy, however, as it is unlikely to cause him to serve a grid penalty in Montreal.

Hamilton made an error at the Turn 8-9 chicane half an hour into FP2 on Friday, clobbering the wall on exit and sustaining a right-rear puncture.

With other damage also potentially done, Mercedes opted to change the whole back of his W10.

This lost Hamilton an hour of the session, denying him a full crack at a qualifying sim, as well as crucial long runs.

However, that is likely to be the full extent of the damage done, despite changes of gearbox outside of sequence carrying a five-place grid penalty.

The punishment only applies to gearboxes run during the races – which are typically not used during Friday practice.

As this was the case for Hamilton, he can enter Saturday's qualifying confident that he will keep whatever grid slot he earns.

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