Gearbox penalty compounds STR misery

(GMM) After both Toro Rossos crashed on Saturday morning, the Italian team's fortunes then turned from bad to worse in the approach to the qualifying hour.

By 2pm, it was already clear that Vettel, whose practice crash had been the heaviest of the pair, would not be able to join the qualifying action as his chassis was too badly damaged.

Indeed, as the reduced field of 19 took to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, mechanics in the STR garage were already working on building up a new car for the young German for Sunday, which he will have to start the race from the pitlane.

Teammate Sebastien Bourdais was at least able to qualify, but he will start the Canadian grand prix dead last, because his car's gearbox was damaged in his own morning crash.

Because the gearbox change is out of sequence with the FIA's new mandatory four-race rule, the Frenchman receives a five-grid demotion from his 16th fastest qualifying pace.