Vettel set for second gearbox grid penalty in a row

Sebastian Vettel is set to serve a five-place grid penalty for the second race in a row after taking a new gearbox ahead of qualifying for the British GP.

Vettel reported problems in the closing stages of FP3, fearing the gearbox had “failed again”. The Scuderia quickly confirmed that the four-time world champion will need to take a new one for this afternoon’s fight for pole position. F1 regulations state that gearboxes must last for six consecutive races.

Vettel is not the only driver incurring a grid penalty, with Marcus Ericsson also having to change his gearbox following his heavy crash in the third and final free practice.

However, with the Swede sent to hospital for precautionary checks and his C35 badly damaged, his participation from qualifying is very unlikely.

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