Engine swap sees Hamilton start from pits in Baku

BAKU, Azerbaijan — Lewis Hamilton is set to start Sunday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix from the pit lane after a new engine was fitted to his Mercedes overnight.

Hamilton qualified seventh on the grid, but because his car has now exceeded its engine quota for the season and broken parc ferme rules (under which component changes are not allowed between qualifying and the race) he will start from the pit lane.

Hamilton was always likely to exceed his engine quota this year after suffering a failure during the Australian Grand Prix.

Ahead of Sunday’s race in Baku, Mercedes fitted a new engine, turbocharger, MGU-H and MGU-K to his car.

Each driver is limited to the number of engine components they can use during the season as part of a cost saving measure within the sporting regulations.

The rule means a failure during a race usually results in a penalty later in the season, with teams often targeting engine changes at races where overtaking is easier, such as Azerbaijan.

Esteban Ocon is also due to start the race from the pit lane after a new engine was fitted to his Alpine.

Ocon had qualified last on the grid, meaning the engine change has very little impact on his likely race outcome.