As expected, Mercedes opted to change the power unit on Lewis Hamilton's car ahead of this morning's sole free practice session.

This followed the two changes yesterday, when new turbocghargers and MGU-Hs meant a 30-placev grid drop.

This morning's change, which included a sixth internal combustion engine (ICE), sixth MGU-K, eighth MGU-H and an eighth turbocharger, means a further 25-place drop.

"Straight into race sim work for Lewis with practice starts and cruise laps," tweeted Mercedes earlier as the Briton finally emerged from his garage. "No need for blistering times today. When you're starting from the back, it's all about race pace."

That said, in the final moments of the session, having struggled with his tyres, the world champion banged in a 1:48.635 which put him fifth on the timesheets, two places ahead of his teammte.

In view of the grid penalties, and with an eye on saving tyres, it is unlikely that Hamilton will do much running in qualifying this afternoon.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by jcr, 27/08/2016 16:37

"TODAY F1 REACHED AN ALL NEW LEVEL OF STUPIDITY !!!
MERCEDES / HAMI, USE UP THEIR ENGINE QUOTA AND HAVE TO TAKE A PENALTY
FINE !! THATS THE RULE ???
BUT NO,
THE ONE PENALTY ALLOWS THEM TO TAKE 3 (SO FAR) NEW ENGINES,
ALL COVERED BY THE SAME PENALTY.

WHERE IS THE LOGIC IN THAT ??
WHERE IS THE FAIRNESS IN THAT,
FAIRNESS TO ROSBERG AS MUCH AS ANYBODY !!

THE FI ETHIC IS SUPPOSED TO KEEP COSTS FROM ESCALATING.
HOW MANY TEAMS COULD AFFORD TO DO WHAT MERC HAVE DONE TODAY ??
HOW MANY TEAMS WOULD HAVE ACCESS TO ENGINES TO DO IT ??
DONT THINK MANY.
ME THINKS A NEW LEVEL OF SILLY !!!"

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2. Posted by RDFox, 27/08/2016 13:26

"So, if they actually were to require drivers to start the appropriate number of slots back for their penalties, rather than just line up at the rear of the grid, would that mean that Lewis would be starting somewhere in the general vicinity of Le Mans tomorrow?"

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Engine change sees further penalties for Hamilton

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