Giovinazzi hit with three-place grid drop for blocking Hulkenberg

Antonio Giovinazzi will start the Monaco Grand Prix from 18^th place after being slapped with a three-place grid drop for blocking Nico Hulkenberg during qualifying.

The Alfa Romeo driver held up Hulkenberg in Q1 around La Rascasse and despite both drivers progressing through the session the Italian has been given a three-place grid penalty dropping him from 15^th to 18^th on the grid.

Having been on a slow lap preparing his Alfa Romeo for a qualifying run around the final sector, the Italian was on the racing line and unaware of Hulkenberg, on a fast lap, approaching behind him which forced the Renault driver to abort the lap.

“The driver of car 99 was between Turn 16 and Turn 18 when he was warned exceptionally late that car 27 was behind him,” an FIA statement read. “At the time he was in the middle of the track and clearly impeded car 27.

“The stewards considered that as the driver of car 99 was on a setup lap, he had the opportunity to give more room regardless of whether he received a warning from the team. Further, the team had the opportunity to give a better warning.

“The Stewards therefore determined that the impeding was unnecessary, and ordered a three place drop, consistent with past practice.”

Giovinazzi’s penalty sees Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc promoted to 15^th place, with both Racing Point drivers also one spot with Sergio Perez up to 16^th and Lance Stroll up to 17^th. Giovinazzi has also picked up one penalty point.