Hamilton hit with grid penalty after gearbox change!

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Lewis Hamilton will start this weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix no higher than P6 after the Mercedes driver was hit with a five-spot grid penalty following a gearbox change.

Both Silver Arrows drivers will run new gearboxes for Saturday's FP3 session, but Valtteri Bottas, who already underwent a transmission swap in Australia, is allowed a free change for this weekend.

Reports from the paddock state that Mercedes detected a hydraulic leak on Hamilton's W09 in Melbourne, with a subsequent investigation in Bahrain this week revealing a damaged bearing.

FP2: Ferrari's Raikkonen and Vettel shine in the Bahrain night

Hamilton and Bottas ended FP2 third and fourth, over half a second off Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen.

Regardless of where the British driver qualifies on Saturday, he will no doubt have his work cut out to even the score with arch-rival and Melbourne victor Sebastian Vettel on Sunday.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.