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Lewis Hamilton takes 10-place grid penalty after key Mercedes decision

Mercedes have changed the power unit in Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes and will take a 10-place grid penalty

Lewis Hamilton will serve a 10-place grid penalty at this weekend's Turkish Grand Prix.(Image: (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images))

Lewis Hamilton has taken a 10-place grid penalty for this weekend's Turkish Grand Prix following a change in power unit.

Mercedes had hinted throughout the week that they could switch to a fourth unit of the season which, per F1 regulations, results in a 10 place grid penalty with three the permitted amount for the season.

The move follows title rival Max Verstappen, with the Red Bull ace taking a similar penalty in the Russian Grand Prix last time out and starting at the back of the grid - a controversial decision as it effectively cancelled out a penalty issued following his crash with Hamilton at Monza.

Verstappen secured a spectacular comeback in Russia, aided by late rain, finishing second behind Hamilton - and Mercedes will be hoping the Brit has similar success this weekend.

However, Hamilton has only taken on a new ICE element and not a new turbocharger, control electronics, MGU-K, MGU-H and every store to go with it.

Crucially, that means the penalty is 10 places rather than seeing Hamilton start from the back of the grid - but it does mean that 11th place is the highest that Hamilton can start on the grid.

He enters this weekend's Turkish Grand Prix with a narrow two-point lead in the driver standings over Verstappen, with the title fight set to go down right to the wire.

Turkey, hosting it's first Grand Prix in nine years, is the first of two race weekends in October, with another break before the United States Grand Prix on October 24th.