Lewis Hamilton has been struck with his second reprimand of the season, and is now only one away from a ten-place grid penalty.
The reigning world champion was placed under investigation by the stewards after running wide at Turn 2 and failing to rejoin the track in the correct manner during the early stages of Q1.
After numerous drivers ran wide at Turn 2 during the two Friday practice sessions, race director Charlie Whiting insisted that drivers adhere to a strict ruling over rejoining the track after running wide.
Drivers are now expected to keep to the left of a red and white polystyrene block situated in the vast run-off area, which Hamilton failed to do.
The Briton was therefore placed under investigation and asked to visit the stewards after the session.
"Car 44 [Hamilton] did not keep to the left of the red and white polystyrene block in the run-off area in Turn 2 at 15:08,” read a statement from the steward’s.
Although Hamilton has escaped a grid penalty following his infraction, the Briton is now only one more reprimand away from a ten-place grid penalty.
Hamilton was issued his first reprimand back in Bahrain after reversing up the pit-lane during qualifying.
The Mercedes racer endured a frustrating end to qualifying after an issue arose on his power unit, forcing him to miss the all-important top ten shootout and will therefore start tomorrow’s race from tenth on the grid.
