07/09/2013
NEWS STORY
Adrian Sutil has been handed a three-place grid penalty for tomorrow's Italian Grand Prix after impeding Lewis Hamilton in the closing stages of Q2.
Hamilton, who has taken pole at the last four races, failed to make it into Q3 today after appearing to be impeded twice by his Force India rival, once at the Parabolica and subsequently at the first chicane on his next, and final, lap.
Having spoken to both drivers and watched the video evidence, the stewards ruled that Sutil had impeded Hamilton at Turn 11 (Parabolica), a breach of Article 16.1 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations.
Though the Stewards determined the impeding was not intentional it was the responsibility of Sutil to be aware of the approaching car.
Speaking at the end of the session, Hamilton blamed himself rather than Sutil, for his poor showing.
"I just didn't get a lap together and it's hugely disappointing, not just for me, but also for the team and I can only apologise to them as we had a quick car today," he said. "Qualifying has always been a real strong point for me but it really didn't come together this afternoon.
"Q1 was fine but I didn't do a good enough job in Q2. I came off at Parabolica on my first run which damaged the car and it was a downward spiral from there really. We will see what we can do from here tomorrow."
Sutil, who qualified fourteenth, will now start from the ninth row of the grid.
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