Hamilton set for back-row start at Monza after engine change

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Lewis Hamilton will be left chasing from behind on Sunday at Monza, with the Mercedes driver starting his Italian Grand Prix from the back of the grid due to an engine change.

Hamilton's power unit at Spa suffered damage in the Briton's first lap contact with Fernando Alonso that forced Mercedes to rely on an older unit last weekend at Zandvoort.

Wolff: Mercedes facing 'challenging' weekend, but pushing hard

But the mileage on the latter has put the engine beyond its lease of life, while Mercedes' engineers at Brixworth are still assessing which components from Hamilton's Spa unit can eventually be salvaged.

The Brackley has therefore been compelled to add a fresh engine to Hamilton's pool of hardware for this weekend's round of racing at Monza.

As the change surpasses the limit of three engines per season, it will therefore trigger a back-of-the-grid penalty for the seven-time world champion.

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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.