By Matt Morlidge
Last Updated: 21/11/21 12:33pm
F1 title leader Max Verstpapen has been handed a five-place grid penalty for the Qatar GP and will start today’s race from seventh after a yellow-flag infringement in qualifying.
The stewards ruled that Verstappen, who was due to start on the front row behind championship rival Lewis Hamilton, failed to respect double waved yellow flags following Pierre Gasly’s puncture at the end of Q3.
Valtteri Bottas has also received a grid drop, although only three places due to his breach being under single waved yellows. That penalty leaves him sixth – and Carlos Sainz is set to face a similar punishment.
The decision, made just 90 minutes before the start of the Doha race, means Hamilton will start on pole position ahead of Gasly and Fernando Alonso, mixing up the order for a race that is live on Sky Sports F1 at 2pm.
Verstappen is currently 14 points ahead of Hamilton in the title standings with just three races remaining.
New Qatar GP top-10 starting grid for race live at 2pm
1) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2) Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri
3) Fernando Alonso, Alpine
4) Lando Norris, McLaren
5) Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri
6) Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
7) Max Verstappen, Red Bull
8) Esteban Ocon, Alpine
9) Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin
10) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari
More to follow.