Lewis Hamilton handed five-place grid penalty for Chinese Grand Prix after his gearbox sustained damage in Bahrain

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Lewis Hamilton’s frustrating start to the season continued before he had even turned a wheel in Shanghai as he was hit with a five-place grid penalty for replacing his gearbox.

The world champion has won four times here, including the last two renewals from pole position, but will have to do it the hard way this time around if he is to make inroads into team-mate Nico Rosberg’s 17-point advantage in the championship race.

‘This weekend is going to be tough,’ Hamilton posted on Instagram alongside a picture of him meeting fans in China. 

Lewis Hamilton will serve a five-placed grid penalty for this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai 

Hamilton's Mercedes collided with the Williams of Valterri Bottas in the Bahrain Grand Prix a fortnight ago, causing damage to the gearbox

The collision helped Hamilton's Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg claim his second victory of the season

‘I will start with a five-place grid penalty due to a gearbox change but because of you guys I feel energised, motivated, and confident that we can regain ground lost.’ 

Hamilton has become unusually accustomed to being on the back foot this season with slow starts in the season’s opening two races in Australia and Bahrain – where he collided with Williams’ Valtteri Bottas at the first corner – costing him dearly.

Mercedes have taken the decision to replace his gearbox now in the hope that the Shanghai International Circuit’s better overtaking opportunities compared to upcoming races will allow him to make up places quickly. 

Hamilton visited the Great Wall of China with friends ahead of the Grand Prix weekend in Shanghai

‘The gearbox of [Hamilton's] F1 W07 Hybrid sustained damage in Bahrain which required a physical inspection for full assessment,’ Mercedes confirmed on Twitter.

‘Having done so, the decision has been taken to change the gearbox rather than carry any risk moving forwards. Of the next 4 tracks in the normal cycle, Shanghai is the best place to make the change and take the resulting grid penalty. 

'The Shanghai International Circuit has good overtaking opportunities, so plenty of chance for @LewisHamilton to get the HAMmer down!’