Charles Leclerc gets F1 grid drop for Styrian GP

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc has been issued a three-place grid penalty for impeding Daniil Kvyat during qualifying for Formula 1’s Styrian Grand Prix.

As a result, Leclerc will start Sunday’s second consecutive race at the Red Bull Ring from 14th on the grid after he struggled to the 11th-fastest time and was knocked out in Q2 in a wet qualifying session in Austria.

Leclerc was summoned to the stewards over two separate offences in qualifying, the first of which was for failing to return to the pits immediately after a red flag was shown when Alfa Romeo’s Antonio Giovinazzi stooped on track.

He was cleared of any wrongdoing for the first incident, with the stewards saying: ”The red flag came at the moment the driver of Car 16 was approaching the entry of Turn 9 and the driver was fully committed to the turn.

“The driver braked hard, did not accelerate after turn 9 and considered entering the pit lane by crossing the white line at pit entry, but felt it would have been unsafe do so.

"The driver reacted appropriately, continued on track and drove the lap afterwards at safe speeds. Taking this into account, Stewards determine to take no further action."

The second offence was for holding up AlphaTauri’s Kvyat through Turns 9 and 10 in Q2, and the Monegasque was subsequently found guilty and penalised, with Ferrari confirming the penalty.

Racing Point’s Sergio Perez also faced an investigation for failing to slow for yellow caution flags during Q1 but the Styrian Grand Prix stewards decided to take no further action over the incident.

Leclerc’s penalty moves George Russell, Lance Stroll and Daniil Kvyat all up one position to 11th, 12th and 13th respectively.