George Russell has become the third driver to be penalised post-qualifying at Turkey, as the Stewards deemed he breached yellow-flag regulations during the session.
The Briton, who was already set to start from 20th on the grid due to a power unit-related penalty, was found not to have slowed sufficiently under double-waved yellow flags caused by Daniil Kvyat, who had spun.
As a result, he was handed a five-place grid penalty as well as three penalty points, bringing his 12-month total to six.
“Car 63 approached turn 2, which was under double yellow flags for Car 26 (Daniel Kvyat) who was spinning off track on the outside of the turn,” read a Stewards statement.
“While Car 63 made an attempt to slow when encountering the double yellow flags, in the opinion of the stewards he slowed insufficiently and did not have his car under full control as he approached and then passed Car 26.
“This lack of full control clearly breaches the regulations. The driver also set a meaningful lap time on this lap which in and of itself breaches the requirements set out by the Race Director’s notes.”
Russell ended qualifying in 18th place, having opted to take to the circuit despite knowing his starting position was to be at the back of the field.
McLaren’s Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris were dished three and five-place grid penalties respectively after Saturday’s session.
