Lewis Hamilton has been given a three-place grid penalty for tomorrow’s Dutch Grand Prix after impeding Sergio Perez in qualifying.
The Mercedes driver was placed under investigation for an incident at turn nine, when, on an in lap, he attempted to move aside for Perez, who was on a fast lap, but was unable to sufficiently do so.
This led to the Mexican furiously venting over team radio: “What the f**k is this idiot doing?” before adding: “For worse than that I’ve been penalised, so I don’t expect any less.”
The stewards have concluded that Hamilton did indeed block Perez, with the official verdict stating: “The driver of Car 44, being on an in lap, was informed by the team that Car 11 was approaching on a fast lap when he entered Turn 8.
“He then drove off line at the exit of Turn 8 with the intention to give way for Car 11. However, when Car 11, arrived, Car 44 had already entered Turn 9 and drove back towards the racing line at the exit of Turn 9, thereby clearly impeding Car 11.”
After the session had ended, in which Perez eventually qualified in fifth place, the Red Bull man blamed the incident on not qualifying higher, saying: “Yeah that was unfortunate.
“I think it was wrong time, wrong moment. Lewis was on the racing line, so there was nothing I could do, other than fitting another set, which was very costly in Q3.”
Hamilton said that he felt he was unable to do more, saying: “I did absolutely do my best to try and be as far out of the way as possible. It just didn’t work.”
Hamilton also reflected on what was a difficult session, saying: “The car was massively snappy today.
“Yesterday was a lot of understeer and then we tried to dial that out and went more the other way.”
It was a disappointing session for Hamilton anyway, having failed to reach Q3 with 12th place. The penalty would have seen Hamilton consequently line-up in 15th, but Alex Albon’s disqualification will promote him to 14th.
Oddly enough, Verstappen got away with squeezing past competitors in the pit lane… is Mutley back in the Steward’s room?