Hamilton handed three-place grid penalty for blocking Piastri, drops to P5 for Hungarian GP

Published Jul 25, 04:35 PM UTC

Lewis Hamilton has been relegated from second to fifth on the Hungarian Grand Prix grid after receiving a three-place penalty for blocking McLaren's Oscar Piastri at the end of qualifying. Hamilton had narrowly missed pole position to Lando Norris and, while slowing after his final lap, impeded Piastri through Turn One. Stewards judged the blocking unnecessary and handed the demotion. The penalty promotes Hamilton's Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc to second, world championship leader Kimi Antonelli to third, and Piastri to fourth. Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur accepted responsibility, stating the team gave Hamilton late warning about Piastri's approach. Antonelli is also under investigation for failing to slow for yellow flags after Max Verstappen spun. The Hungarian Grand Prix takes place on Sunday, July 26.