Grosjean penalized 5 grid places in Monaco
Romain Grosjean will have to serve a five-place grid penalty for the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday. The Lotus team was forced to change the gearbox on his E23.
Monaco is surely the circuit where the position secured in qualifying is the most important of the year for a driver. Overtaking in the narrow streets of the Principality is not impossible, but it significantly complicates the task for those aiming for points and starting outside the Top 10.
Already facing difficulties with his gearbox in the second half of the race in Spain two weeks ago, Romain Grosjean was forced to change that same gearbox, which likely wouldn’t have withstood the demands imposed by the winding Monaco track.
The FIA therefore applied the regulations, and the French driver and his Lotus will be demoted five places following Saturday’s qualifying session. A heavy setback in the driver’s and his team’s ambition to score points for the fourth consecutive time and to replicate his strong performance from last year.
