Gearbox change sets Verstappen back to P18!

©WRI

Max Verstappen's prospects for Sunday's race appeared complicated thanks to a start from P13, but a gearbox change leaves the Red Bull driver with an even more difficult task.

The Dutchman qualified a lowly 15th after hitting a speed bump in Q2 that broke his right rear suspension and prematurely terminated his session.

He was set to gain two spots on the grid however thanks to multiple penalties handed to both Toro Rosso drivers for engine changes.

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However, Verstappen won't start his race on the seventh row. A problem diagnosed with his RB14's gearbox, as a result of yesterday's mishap in qualifying, has required the component to be replaced, a decision that comes with a five-place drop.

Verstappen will therefore start his afternoon of racing from P18, but one will remember that a similar scenario last year, when he lined up 16th on the grid, saw the Red Bull charger join the top-3 with 20 laps.

"Last year I had fun fighting my way up from 16th, so let’s try to have some more fun today," Verstappen tweeted earlier today.

Indeed, bring on the fun Max!

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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.