Hamilton confirms five-place grid penalty

Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton will take a five-place grid penalty for the Chinese Grand Prix.

The British Mercedes driver has finished second and third to start the F1 season and his chances of winning in China have been dealt a blow due to a gearbox change.

Hamilton confirmed he was set for a penalty in Sunday’s race as he continues preparations for the weekend.

“This weekend is going to be tough,” he wrote on Instagram.

“I will start with a five-place grid penalty due to a gearbox change but because of you guys I feel energised, motivated, and confident that we can regain ground lost.”

Mercedes confirmed the penalty via Twitter, saying Shanghai was the ideal place to take it.

Hamilton is a record four-time winner in China, including going back-to-back in 2014 and 2015, but takes the penalty after problems in Bahrain.