Kimi Raikkonen has been handed a five-place grid penalty for a gearbox change ahead of this weekend’s Malaysian Grand Prix.

Caterham’s Heikki Kovalainen has received a five place grid drop for next week’s Malaysian Grand Prix, after overtaking under the safety car in yesterday’s Melbourne race.

Vitaly Petrov will drive for the Caterham team in 2012, replacing Jarno Trulli with immediate effect. The Italian had been in Formula 1 since 1997.

Hispania have announced that Indian Narain Karthikeyan will drive for the team in 2012, completing the grid. This leaves Tonio Liuzzi without a drive for the first time since 2008.

Lotus have confirmed former Virgin Racing driver Jerome d’Ambrosio as their third driver for 2012.

Bruno Senna will drive for Williams in 2012, it has today been announced. He will partner Pastor Maldonado having replaced compatriot Rubens Barrichello.

Former Toro Rosso drivers Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari have reacted with surprise and disappointment after hearing that they were to be dropped by the team for 2012.

Force India have announced that Nico Hulkenberg has been promoted from reserve driver to race driver for 2012, and will drive next season alongside Paul di Resta.

Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne will drive for Toro Rosso in 2012, replacing Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari at the Faenza-based team.

Lotus Renault have confirmed that Romain Grosjean will drive for the team in 2012 alongside Kimi Raikkonen, replacing Vitaly Petrov.