Zhou gets sent to back of Azerbaijan Grand Prix starting grid with pre-qualifying penalty

Kick Sauber driver Zhou Guanyu will start Sunday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix from the back of the grid after power unit changes between practice sessions triggered a penalty.

Following Friday’s action in Baku, mechanics fitted a third Energy Store and third Control Electronics to his car – going over the limit of two elements for the season.

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The use of each additional element carries a 10-place grid penalty, provisionally meaning 20 places overall.

However, as per the Sporting Regulations, a driver who has accrued more than 15 cumulative grid position penalties must start from the back of the grid.

It means Zhou will enter qualifying with the knowledge that he will line up for the race behind all his rivals, adding to what has been a particularly challenging period for Sauber.

AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from final practice for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix

With the Baku street track exposing their car’s weaknesses further, the yet-to-score team placed 17th and 18th on the final practice timesheets – Valtteri Bottas ahead of Zhou.