Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez received grid penalties following qualifying incidents.

Single yellow flags were displayed in marshalling sectors 4 and 5, in particular after Turn 2 and on the approach to Turn 3. The yellow indications were clearly visible and the Williams driver had also received a radio warning from his team: "Yellow ahead, lift".

Sainz confirmed at the hearing that he was aware of the yellow flag situation and explained that he intended to demonstrate a reduction in speed across the yellow area as a whole.

He stated that he did not consider it necessary to reduce speed on the straight and instead intended to demonstrate his response when approaching and exiting Turn 3.

He considered this to be a "global lift" covering the consecutive yellow sectors. He further explained that the car which had originally caused the yellow was no longer in the run-off area and that he expected the yellow flags to be withdrawn.

The stewards did not accept this interpretation. Where consecutive marshalling sectors are subject to yellow flag conditions, a driver must demonstrate a significant reaction to reduce speed in each individual yellow marshalling sector. A reduction in a subsequent sector cannot retrospectively satisfy the requirement applicable to the preceding yellow sector. The obligation is also not dependent on the driver's own assessment of whether the original hazard remains present within a particular part of the yellow sector.

The telemetry clearly showed that Sainz's reaction to the yellow occurred only in marshalling sector 5. There was no meaningful reduction in speed in marshalling sector 4 which could realistically be attributed to a response to the yellow.

Indeed, Sainz recorded his fastest time of the session in marshalling sector 4.

The stewards therefore did not accept that the subsequent lift in marshalling sector 5 constituted a sufficient "global" response covering both sectors. This is distinguishable from cases where the telemetry demonstrates a significant response to the yellow even though the overall sector time reduction is relatively small.

In this case, Sainz was aware of the yellow, had received an explicit warning from his team, the yellow indications were clearly visible and the telemetry established that he did not demonstrate the required reaction in marshalling sector 4.

The stewards therefore determined that he failed to sufficiently reduce speed under the single yellow flag in marshalling sector 4. The standard penalty under the penalty guidelines for this infringement during qualifying being a drop of 5 grid positions.

Earlier in the session, Sergio Perez was on a preparation lap between Turns 19 and 20 while Oscar Piastri was approaching on a flying lap. The Mexican had received two radio warnings that the McLaren was approaching.

At the relevant point Piastri was travelling at approximately 300 km/h (186 mph), while Perez was travelling at approximately 248 km/h (154 mph).

The race director's specific traffic-management instructions require a driver on a preparation lap in this section of the circuit to remain on the right-hand side. Perez was warming his tyres and, rather than maintaining a predictable line on the right-hand side, his tyre-warming manoeuvre placed him in the path of the approaching McLaren. Piastri consequently had to come off the throttle.

Perez explained that, in the circumstances, he considered that he had no other reasonable option. Piastri confirmed that he had to lift because of Perez, although he did not consider that he ultimately lost significant lap time as a consequence.

The stewards considered whether the incident was dangerous but, having reviewed the evidence and heard both drivers, determined that it was not.

However, Perez had received two warnings of Piastri approaching and did not manage his preparation lap in accordance with the specific traffic-management instructions. The fact that Piastri was
required to lift was sufficient to establish that he had been unnecessarily impeded.

The stewards therefore determined that Perez unnecessarily impeded the Australian and applied the standard 3-place penalty.