Lewis Hamilton has been handed a three-place grid penalty for the Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix after impeding Oscar Piastri during qualifying.
Hamilton was slated to start the race on Sunday from the front-row of the grid, after qualifying on Saturday.
The Ferrari driver was feeling let down by his team for sending him out early on his final flying lap in Q3 – turning his one-tenth advantage into a 0.012s deficit to pole-sitter Lando Norris by the time the session came to an end.
After the session, Hamilton was put under investigation for impeding Norris’ team-mate Oscar Piastri into Turn 1.
Lewis Hamilton penalty to prove costly?
Hamilton had just concluded his final run, and got in the way of the Australian as the McLaren driver began his final run of Q3. Piastri was only able to post the fifth-fastest lap at the chequered flag, after having to abort his effort.
Hamilton defended himself by saying he was not aware about Piastri, as he could not see him in his side mirrors, nor did Ferrari warn him on the team radio.
But the stewards have deemed the Briton to be at fault and have handed him a three-place grid drop for the race.
“Car 81, which was on a push lap, was forced to take avoiding action by running wide and being obliged to abort the lap,” the stewards deemed.
“Having examined the available evidence, the Stewards determined that Car 44 unnecessarily impeded Car 81 during qualifying.”
Hamilton will start the 70-lap race from fifth on the grid on a track not known for its overtaking opportunities, with an uphill task to salvage his race day.
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