* Maldonado set to start from back row
* Collision damage requires new gearbox
* Venezuelan faces 15-place penalty
(Adds likely gearbox change and further penalty)
MONACO, May 26 (Reuters) – Pastor Maldonado looked likely to
start Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix from the back of the grid after
collecting a 10 place penalty for causing a collision and then
being told his car would need a new gearbox.
That unscheduled change would entail a further five place
drop for the Venezuelan who started on pole position in
Barcelona two weeks ago and went on to secure Williams’ first
Formula One win in nearly eight years.
Race stewards, including Williams’ 1992 world champion Nigel
Mansell, ruled Maldonado had caused an avoidable collision in
final practice when he cut abruptly in front of the Sauber of
Mexican Sergio Perez, who is also on the back row.
Maldonado crashed a lap later, ripping the rear right wheel
off his car in an impact that also damaged the gearbox.
That grid penalty dropped him to 19th place after he battled
through to the final qualifying session and ended with the ninth
best time.
“The car had a lot of damage in it, to the point where we
are having to change the gearbox in it as well,” Williams’ chief
operations engineer told reporters.
“There was a significant amount of damage to the car, so the
guys did a really good job to even get it out for qualifying.”
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Mark Meadows and Ken
Ferris)
