Grosjean to take grid penalty at German GP

© Lotus F1 Team, LAT Photographic

Romain Grosjean will start the German Grand Prix five places lower than he qualifies after the team confirmed he will take a grid penalty.

The Lotus outfit discovered a gearbox issue which it says, had it struck earlier, it would most likely have seen the Frenchman retire from the British GP which he finished sixth having started tenth.

Lotus technical director James Allison said about the problem: "It was a gearbox problem and we are very fortunate that Romain didn't have the problem earlier in the race.

"Unfortunately for Romain it means he'll take a five place grid penalty at Hockenheim, but he certainly showed at Silverstone that dropping down the order won't stop him challenging at the sharp end."

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