Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Pierre Gasly are both under investigation by the stewards for blocking during qualifying for the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix Sprint.
The Italian completed a second successive front row lock-out for Mercedes, finishing behind pole-sitter George Russell at the Shanghai International Circuit.
But the teenager’s place on the grid for Saturday morning’s race is no in doubt after he was summoned to the stewards for blocking Lando Norris late in Q2.
As the reigning World Champion was approaching Turn 1 on a push lap, the Mercedes seemed to remain tight on his line, impeding the McLaren.
“Yeah, he blocked me. I was going to push that lap, but he got in my way,” Norris told his team after backing off from the lap.
Max Verstappen was another high-profile driver who felt he had been obstructed late in the session.
Upon exiting Turn 14, Verstappen encountered Gasly’s Alpine on a slowing down lap, which took the Red Bull slightly off line.
Gesteculating to the Frenchman as he passed, Verstappen then lost momentum, going wide upon exiting the final corner.
“That Alpine is just on the racing line out of the last hairpin. It’s ridiculous,” the Dutchman said.
Norris could inherit second if Antonelli is penalised, having qualified third, with Verstappen in line to move up a place from eighth, after a difficult session in which he was out-qualified by Gasly.
READ MORE – George Russell takes Sprint Qualifying pole at F1 Chinese GP
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