Ocon set for Interlagos grid penalty after gearbox change

Esteban Ocon is set to drop five places on the grid for Sunday’s Brazilian Grand Prix after Force India was forced into a gearbox change on his car ahead of the Interlagos race weekend.

FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer confirmed in his post-Friday practice bulletin that Ocon was among a number of drivers who had changed gearbox for the event, but was the only one in breach of the regulations.

Ocon’s previous gearbox had not lasted the six events required, nor had he failed to finish the last race in Mexico, meaning he was not in compliance with the rules regarding gearbox changes.

As a result, he will drop five places on the grid for Sunday’s race in Brazil.

Ocon becomes the second driver to receive a five-place grid penalty for the Interlagos weekend following Daniel Ricciardo’s turbocharger change, which was confirmed earlier on Friday.

The penalty comes as a setback for Force India its bid to beat McLaren to sixth place in the F1 constructors’ championship. Force India trails McLaren by 15 points with two races remaining.