Pitlane start for Virgin drivers

Virgin has encountered further reliability problems over the Melbourne weekend, with qualifying blighted by fuel pick-up issues that forced the teams to run heavier fuel loads than would be ideal for single-lap pace.

In a bid to try and overcome the problem, Virgin replaced fuel collectors on both cars.

Although the changes were allowed by the FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer, the parts are different from the original specification and the team has opted to make modifications to the set-up of the suspension. That means the two drivers will be required to start from the pitlane.

The requirement to start from the pitlane does at least mean Glock and di Grassi will be able to start the race with their fuel tanks filled to the brim rather than using up some of their marginal capacity by driving around to the grid.

Glock was also given a five-place penalty for opening up his gearbox.