LONDON (AFP) - Lewis Hamilton will take a 10-place grid penalty for the Turkish Grand Prix, it has been confirmed.
The seven-time world champion, who leads the driver’s standings after winning the Russian Grand Prix a fortnight ago, has opted to take a fourth engine part of the season - one more than allowed - for Sunday’s race.
As a result he will drop 10 places on the grid from wherever he qualifies on Saturday, as per FIA rules.
He has, however, only taken one power-unit component so won’t be subjected to a full grid drop.
Title rival Max Verstappen took a similar penalty in Sochi and started from the back of the grid before going on to finish second behind Hamilton.
Hamilton leads Verstappen by two points with seven races of a fiercely contested season remaining.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz has undergone a full engine change and will start the race from the back of the grid.