Gearbox penalty for de la Rosa

Pedro de la Rosa is set to start the Singapore GP from the very back of the grid after incurring a gearbox penalty…

Pedro de la Rosa is set to start the Singapore GP from the very back of the grid after incurring a gearbox penalty.

The HRT driver had hoped for a good showing this weekend as his team have introduced their most significant updates since May.

However, the Spaniard was not able to really capitalise under the flood lights and finished Friday’s running 23rd on the timesheets with only his team-mate Narain Karthikeyan slower.

De la Rosa’s woes were further compounded with news that his F112 had to be fitted with a new gearbox ahead of Saturday’s final practice.

Under F1 regulations, changing a gearbox means an automatic five-place penalty and as de la Rosa’s best qualifying performance this season was a P20, he looks set to start Sunday’s Marina Bay race from the back of the grid.