Zhou to start from pit-lane under bizarre circumstances

Zhou Guanyu will start from the pit-lane for the Australian Grand Prix, with Stake F1 not having a spare front-wing of the same specification.

The Chinese driver's wing suffered end-plate damage, caused by vibrations whilst going over the kerbs at the Albert Park Circuit.

It was the kerb on the outside of Turn 10 which caused the damage, the same corner which has caught out Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, George Russell and several others this weekend.

As the only spare front wings the Hinwil-based side has available are of a previous spec, Zhou must start from the pit-lane.

Whilst starting from the pit-lane is a disadvantage for Zhou, he would have started towards the back regardless having qualified in a disappointing P19.

'I had no idea'

Incredibly, Zhou was completely unaware that his front-wing had sustained damage until he suddenly locked up.

He only understood what happened only after watching the replay on TV.

"I didn't make a mistake on my lap," Zhou told select media including RacingNews365.

"I was just driving like every single lap I did. I got the last sector and suddenly I'm locking up, missing the [the apex].

"When I crossed the finish line, I saw the left-hand side was missing.

"I had no idea where that came from, every single lap was normal.

"I watched the replay and it came from vibrations from the kerb at Turn 10, which is very frustrating.

"It's very disappointing, otherwise it would have been a good lap, it was pretty good."