Max Verstappen has been handed a three-place grid penalty for causing a collision during the Italian GP this afternoon.
The grid penalty will be served to the Dutchman during the next Grand Prix weekend in Russia.
Following an in-depth investigation, the stewards found that Verstappen was “predominantly to blame” for the collision.
The incident occurred on Lap 27 as Verstappen tried to pass Hamilton around the outside of Turn 1 of the first chicane and hit a sausage kerb and shunted into the Mercedes.
The Red Bull mounted the front of the Mercedes with his back right wheel making contact with the seven-time world champions crash helmet.
In a statement, the stewards said; “The Stewards observed on CCTV footage that the driver of Car 44 was driving an avoiding line, although his position caused Car 33 to go onto the kerb.
“But further, the Stewards observed that Car 33 was not at all alongside Car 44 until significantly into the entry into Turn 1.
“In the opinion of the Stewards, this manoeuvre was attempted too late for the driver of Car 33 to have ‘the right to racing room.’
“While Car 44 could have steered further from the kerb to avoid the incident, the Stewards determined that his position was reasonable and therefore find that the driver of Car 33 was predominantly to blame for the incident.”
Whether or not Red Bull will appeal the penalty before racing resumes in Russia is yet to be seen.
