Webber docked 5 places for Spa

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium - Formula 1 title contender Mark Webber will have a five-place penalty on the starting grid for Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix after an unscheduled gearbox change, his Red Bull team said.

The Australian is second overall in the championship and 40 points behind Ferrari's Fernando Alonso with nine races remaining.

WILL HELP VETTEL

The penalty will be a boost for his Red Bull team mate Sebastian Vettel, the reigning champion who won from pole at Spa in 2011 and is third overall and two points behind Webber, as well as Alonso.

Webber has suffered no retirements this season but has endured reliability problems whereas double champion Alonso can chalk up a record-equalling 24th successive points finish on Sunday.

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