F1 | Bottas, penalized for changing the gearbox in Suzuka

The weekend is off to an uphill start Valtteri Bottas. The Finn, who achieved the fifth fastest time in the first Japanese free practice sessions, will be penalized five places on the starting grid for the gearbox replacement. 

For Bottas this is very bad news at a delicate moment of the season, which he himself after the Malaysia he didn't hesitate to call it one of the worst of his career. Now the pilot of the Mercedes is called to one difficult comeback given that the minimum position from which he can start will be sixth.

This is the second time that the Finn has had to pay the penalty for replacing the gearbox. Previously, he had had to suffer a setback in the GP of Silverstone in July (where however he managed to recover and complete the Mercedes double).

The gearbox of F1 cars must be used for at least 6 GP before being replaced. Early replacement is only permitted if the driver has retired from the previous race (but this is not the case with Bottas). Otherwise, you will incur a five place penalty on the starting grid.

Lorenzo Lucidi