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Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton to serve five-place grid penalty in Brazil

Hamilton to serve five-place grid penalty in Brazil
© Reuters
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton will serve a five-place grid penalty for the Brazil Grand Prix courtesy of an engine change.

Lewis Hamilton has been dealt a further blow in his bid to successfully defend his Formula 1 world title.

On Sunday, the Mercedes driver could only finish second to Championship rival Max Verstappen at the Mexico Grand Prix, falling further behind in the title race.

With the gap currently standing at 19 points, the Briton had been hoping to gain advantage by starting on pole in Brazil at the weekend.

However, that will not be the case with Hamilton unable to start any further forward than sixth spot after his team changed the engine on his car.

Mercedes have been forced into such a change on two occasions in just four races, handing Verstappen all of the momentum ahead of the action at Interlagos.

Team boss Toto Wolff has acknowledged in the past that concerns over reliability has forced their hand with the issue.

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