Starting grid - Russia 2014 - Gearbox penalties hit hard at the Sochi Autodrom
Published by Christine
Three drivers have taken grid drops this weekend due to a gearbox change occurring before their required six races have been completed. Nico Hülkenberg and Kevin Magnussen have both dropped back from their qualifying positions - a particular disappointment for the McLaren driver as they've shown increased pace this weekend.
Pastor Maldonado also drops back five places, a hangover from his ten place power unit penalty from Japan. He only qualified 20th, so doesn't actually move anywhere - thankfully the penalty won't continue rolling on to the USA.
| Position | Driver | Team | Time | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team | 1:38.513 | 18 |
| 2 | Nico Rosberg | Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team | 1:38.713 | 18 |
| 3 | Valtteri Bottas | Williams Martini Racing | 1:38.920 | 23 |
| 4 | Jenson Button | McLaren Mercedes | 1:39.121 | 22 |
| 5 | Daniil Kvyat | Scuderia Toro Rosso | 1:39.277 | 27 |
| 6 | Daniel Ricciardo | Infiniti Red Bull Racing | 1:39.635 | 21 |
| 7 | Fernando Alonso | Scuderia Ferrari | 1:39.709 | 25 |
| 8 | Kimi Räikkönen | Scuderia Ferrari | 1:39.771 | 26 |
| 9 | Jean-Éric Vergne | Scuderia Toro Rosso | 1:40.020 | 27 |
| 10 | Sebastian Vettel | Infiniti Red Bull Racing | 1:40.052 | 13 |
| 11 | Kevin Magnussen | McLaren Mercedes | 1:39.629 | 21 |
| 12 | Sergio Pérez | Sahara Force India F1 Team | 1:40.163 | 13 |
| 13 | Esteban Gutiérrez | Sauber F1 Team | 1:40.536 | 18 |
| 14 | Adrian Sutil | Sauber F1 Team | 1:40.984 | 18 |
| 15 | Romain Grosjean | Lotus F1 Team | 1:41.397 | 18 |
| 16 | Marcus Ericsson | Caterham F1 Team | 1:42.648 | 9 |
| 17 | Nico Hülkenberg | Sahara Force India F1 Team | 1:40.058 | 16 |
| 18 | Felipe Massa | Williams Martini Racing | 1:43.064 | 8 |
| 19 | Kamui Kobayashi | Caterham F1 Team | 1:43.166 | 9 |
| 20 | Max Chilton | Marussia F1 Team | 1:43.649 | 10 |
| 21 | Pastor Maldonado | Lotus F1 Team | 1:43.205 | 5 |
- 5 places. Nico Hülkenberg - The gearbox of car 27 has been changed before 6 consecutive events have expired.
- 5 places. Kevin Magnussen - The gearbox of car 20 has been changed before 6 consecutive events have expired.
- 5 places. Max Chilton - The gearbox of car 4 has been changed before 6 consecutive events have expired.
- 5 places. Pastor Maldonado - Remainder of 10 place grid penalty - Additional sixth power unit element used (ICE) during Japanese Grand Prix.
