Lewis Hamilton's hopes of a hat-trick of pole positions have been dashed ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix by a five place penalty imposed on him for an unscheduled gearbox change.
The 2008 Formula One world champion has yet to win this season despite starting the first two races in Australia and Malaysia on pole.
The Briton won in China last year and is the only driver to have won twice in Shanghai since the race was added to the calendar in 2004.
A spokesperson said Hamilton would use the car's existing gearbox for today's practice before having it switched out for Saturday.
Hamilton says it won't alter his approach and says he won from third last year.
