Lewis Hamilton will take a five-place grid penalty after qualifying for the 2012 Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai [Picture: Vodafone McLaren Mercedes]

F1 2012 Chinese Grand Prix: Hamilton hit with grid penalty

By Alan Davies Thursday, April 12, 2012
3:07 PM

FORMULA 1 racer Lewis Hamilton will take a five-place grid penalty in Sunday’s 2012 Chinese Grand Prix.

The 27-year-old Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 driver from Hertfordshire needs a new gearbox for this weekend’s race in Shanghai.

As a result of his five-place grid drop, bookmakers William Hill have pushed him out to 4/1 from 2/1 to win the race, while McLaren teammate Jenson Button is the new 2/1 favourite (from 3/1) and Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel 7/2.

Hamilton is still the 11/10 favourite to qualify fastest around the Shanghai International Circuit with Button 7/2 and Vettel 6/1.

Herts-born Hamilton won the Chinese Grand Prix last year.

The 2012 Chinese GP starts at 8am BST on Sunday.