Valtteri Bottas' gearbox-related grid penalty in Belgium has been cancelled and replaced following a clarification over the components changed in his car. Bottas was initially hit with a 10-place grid penalty, but this has been reduced to five places after an update from Technical Delegate Jo Bauer. It had been communicated that Bottas' gearbox driveline, gear change components and auxiliary components were changed alongside a new gearbox case and cassette. However, it has now emerged that only the gearbox case and cassette were swapped out. Bottas' penalty will still be added to with various power unit changes (equating to 15 further places) for this weekend's action at Spa-Francorchamps.
Stewards explain what happened with Bottas' gearbox
A report issued by the stewards on Saturday morning confirmed the change to Bottas' gearbox-related grid penalty. "Following a clarification from the Technical Delegate, the stewards rescind their decision Document 26 (which imposed a 10-place grid penalty, and is hereby recalled) and impose a five-place grid penalty instead," read the explanation. "The earlier reports indicated that the competitor had changed the gearbox driveline, gear change components and auxiliary components (GBX DL) for a fifth time, while also changing the gearbox cases and cassettes (GBX C&C). "It was later clarified by the Technical Delegate that only the GBX C&C was changed, and the stewards make this decision to correct the earlier decision."
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