Sauber’s Felipe Nasr has been penalised three grid places for the start of his home race after stewards found the Brazilian guilty of blocking compatriot Felipe Massa during Saturday’s qualifying session at Interlagos.
On a slow lap, Nasr baulked the flying Williams driver in Turn 11 during Q1. Both men nonetheless progressed to Q2, with Nasr eventually qualifying 11th, and Massa eighth. With other penalties taken into account, Nasr is now set to start from 13th on the provisional grid.
Two other drivers head into the race with grid drops - Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo was penalised 10 places for an unscheduled engine change, whilst Williams’ Valtteri Bottas was demoted three after he overtook under red flags during Friday practice.
The provisional grid now reads: Rosberg, Hamilton; Vettel, Raikkonen; Hulkenberg, Kvyat; Bottas, Massa; Verstappen, Sainz; Perez, Ericsson; Nasr, Grosjean; Maldonado, Button; Rossi, Stevens; Ricciardo, Alonso.
Next Up
Related Articles
Betting5 drivers most likely to win the Japanese Grand Prix
Leclerc assesses Ferrari’s potential amid Mercedes battle
Russell wary of threats to Mercedes' dominance ahead of Japan
ExclusiveTsunoda on his F1 past, present and future
Antonelli focused on ‘ultimate goal’ after maiden win
Everything you need to know about the Suzuka Circuit