Monza: Formula One title contender Rubens Barrichello will start Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix from fifth place after his Brawn team decided not to change his car’s gearbox.
The Brazilian is 16 points adrift of team mate Jenson Button, who qualified sixth, with five races remaining including Sunday’s.
Team boss Ross Brawn said on Saturday that there was uncertainty about the reliability of the gearbox, with the car catching fire briefly at the end of the previous Belgian Grand Prix.
Under Formula One rules, gearboxes must last for four races. Any unscheduled replacement incurs a five place penalty on the starting grid. Sunday will be the second race for Barrichello’s current gearbox.
Bureau Report
First Published: Sunday, September 13, 2009, 17:15