Maldonado penalized, Räikkönen released
Pastor Maldonado joins Mark Webber and Nico Rosberg in the club of penalized drivers at the end of the qualifying session. The Venezuelan blocked Nico Hülkenberg's Force India during Q1.
At the end of the qualifications, the FIA put Pastor Maldonado under investigation for impeding Nico Hülkenberg’s Force India in turns 18 and 19 (the last corners of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit) during the first part of the qualification.
After investigation, the stewards decided to impose a three-place penalty on the Venezuelan, who will therefore start sixth tomorrow for the Grand Prix.
This decision was justified by the fact that Pastor Maldonado had been warned by his pit to not hinder car number 12, that of Nico Hülkenberg, who was behind him at the end of the lap. Despite this warning, the Venezuelan clearly blocked the Force India. However, considering that this did not prevent the German driver from reaching Q2, the FIA deemed that a more severe penalty was not appropriate.
Kimi Räikkönen will start third tomorrow alongside Sergio Pérez. The Finn was also under investigation for going a bit wide in turns 3 and 4, but after analyzing the telemetry data, it was established that this did not provide any advantage to the Lotus driver, as his exit speed was lower than normal, and therefore no penalty was given.
Reminder: Mark Webber and Nico Rosberg will receive a five-position penalty for a gearbox change before the required five races.
From our correspondent in Spa-Francorchamps.
