New gearboxes for five drivers in Japan!

The FIA has communicated that five drivers will be scooping in a new gearbox in their respective cars, F1 journalist Albert Fabrega has revealed on his Twitter account, but no grid penalties will be handed out to any of the drivers.

The two most notable names to get a new gearbox are Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas and Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo. Both gentlemen have used their old gearboxes for six consecutive weekends, making it legal for them to make a switch without a penalty.

The same goes for Sauber's Marcus Ericsson and McLaren's Stoffel Vandoorne, who will both have new shifters this weekend in an attempt to crank up their performance that little bit extra.

The fifth case, the one of Pierre Gasly, is also legal as the Frenchman only drove six laps in last weekend's Russian Grand Prix before retiring. Article 23.5a of the FIA regulations states that this makes it legal for him to have a new gearbox without any form of penalties, which is probably why he'll be doing it at Honda's home race.