MotorMouth – Max Verstappen is handed a FIVE-PLACE grid penalty for Qatar Grand Prix after ignoring double-waved yellow flags during qualifying in huge boost to Lewis Hamilton’s title hopes… as Valterri Bottas is also penalised to move Pierre Gasly on to front row

21.11.21

Max Verstappen is handed a FIVE-PLACE grid penalty for Qatar Grand Prix after ignoring double-waved yellow flags during qualifying in huge boost to Lewis Hamilton’s title hopes… as Valterri Bottas is also penalised to move Pierre Gasly on to front row

Max Verstappen was dramatically demoted five grid places for the Qatar Grand Prix in a major boost to Lewis Hamilton’s world championship dreams. Verstappen sinks from second on the grid to seventh. Pole-sitter Hamilton, who trails Verstappen by 14 points with three races including the Qatar round, said: ‘Consistency is key. Hamilton’s team-mate Valtteri Bottas was penalised three places for the same offence, only the lesser single-waved yellow flags. The Briton already has pole to his name, with Verstappen second quickest, nearly four-tenths back.

Follow MotorMouth on social media: