AUSTRIA SUSPENSION FAILURE
Nico Rosberg ’ s hopes of a third successive Austrian Grand Prix win took a hit on Saturday when he crashed in final practice and damaged his Mercedes ’ gearbox , incurring a five-place grid penalty .
Mercedes said mechanics worked flat out to repair the damaged car in time for afternoon qualifying at the Red Bull Ring circuit .
“ A gearbox penalty will be incurred as a new unit will be fitted for qualifying ,” a spokesman said .
Championship leader Rosberg was the only driver to have won in Austria since the race returned in 2014 , after an 11-year absence and was hoping to continue the run to increase his 24-point lead over team mate Lewis Hamilton .
However the accident , after Rosberg had dominated Friday ’ s practice sessions with the fastest lap ever at the scenic circuit nestling in the wooded Styrian hills , appeared to hand the British triple F1 world champion a significant advantage .
Mercedes reported that the car had suffered a left rear suspension failure after an unusually high load at full throttle on the exit kerb at Turn 2 . The car spun several times before spearing into the barriers .
Mercedes executive director Paddy Lowe told Sky Sports : “ We need to understand the problem with Nico ’ s car , but it looks like there was a suspension failure on the kerb , We need to make sure we ’ re covered for the race .”
The session was halted with 21 minutes remaining and the car brought back to the garage on a truck , with Rosberg , winner of five of the season ’ s eight races to date , making his frustration evident on his return .
Hamilton had earlier expressed concern about his car ’ s rear tyres , asking the team over the radio to take a look because “ something is not right .”