Sauber’s Charles Leclerc will drop five places on the grid from wherever he qualifies at the Austrian Grand Prix due to an unscheduled gearbox change.
Leclerc had been a regular top 10 contender throughout practice at the Red Bull Ring, continuing his good form that has seen him take four points finishes from the last five events.
Leclerc rounded out the top 10 in Saturday lunchtime’s final session but came to a halt on track between Turns 1 and 2, amid a reported problem.
Sauber undertook checks on Leclerc’s C37 following the conclusion of the session and determined that a new gearbox was required.
As the replacement comes before the mandatory run of six consecutive events, Leclerc is set to take a five-place grid penalty into qualifying.
