Japanese Grand Prix: Ferrari rules out gearbox change for Sebastian Vettel despite Malaysian mishap

Formula One title contender Sebastian Vettel was given some good news on Wednesday after his Ferrari team ruled out a gearbox change that would have incurred a grid penalty at the Japanese Grand Prix. [caption id=“attachment_4109275” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel. AP[/caption] The German, a four-time world champion, is 34 points behind Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton with five races remaining, including Sunday’s at Suzuka. The gearbox scare followed a bizarre incident after last Sunday’s Malaysian Grand Prix when his car was hit from behind by Canadian Lance Stroll’s Williams on the post-race slowing down lap. The impact wrecked the car’s rear suspension. A change of gearbox would have meant a five place grid penalty for a race that Vettel needs to win, but Ferrari gave the all-clear after a factory inspection.

The gearbox #Seb5 used in #MalaysiaGP is still available 👍🏼#JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/TgaqDunXkl

— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) October 4, 2017