Hamilton hit with pit lane start for Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton and Esteban Ocon will both start from the pit lane for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Both drivers have taken new power unit elements on their Mercedes and Alpine respectively out of parc fermé, meaning the seven-time F1 champion and the Frenchman will take the penalty of a pit-lane start.

For Hamilton, in particular, Mercedes knew it would have to introduce a new power unit at some stage this season after the 39-year-old retired with an engine failure in the Australian Grand Prix.

Given Hamilton's difficulties in qualifying, and with a P7 start on a track where overtaking is possible, Mercedes has decided to take the hit in Baku.

Hamilton has taken on a new internal combustion engine, turbocharger, MGU-H and MGU-K. Ocon has done the same.

Ocon has endured a wretched weekend so far as he encountered an MGU-H issue in first practice that resulted in him completing just three installation laps, and forced a change of PU from the pool.

Early in FP3, Ocon then stopped on track and missed the remainder of the session following a failure of the high-pressure fuel pump system, leading to a replacement of the components.

In light of the issues, Alpine has also decided to introduce a new power unit, leading to Ocon joining Hamilton in the pit lane.

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