Grosjean to start from pit lane after car changes

Lotus’s Romain Grosjean will start Sunday’s Formula 1 Grosser Preis von Osterreich 2014 from the pit lane after the team elected to make changes to his car under parc ferme conditions ahead of the race. Grosjean had qualified 16th in Spielberg.

The gearbox on the Frenchman’s E22 machine was replaced this morning, meaning a five-place grid penalty since it has not been used for the required six consecutive events.

Furthermore, Lotus altered the aerodynamic settings of the car’s rear-end assembly. As such changes are not permitted whilst in parc ferme, Grosjean must now begin the race from the pit lane.