Leclerc’s penalty prediction comes true as Russell gets three-place grid drop

George Russell has been given a three place grid penalty for the United States Grand Prix sprint race after the stewards ruled he impeded Charles Leclerc during today’s qualifying session.

The Mercedes driver will now start 11th. Alexander Albon, Pierre Gasly and Daniel Ricciardo each move up a place, to eighth, ninth and tenth respectively.

Russell was driving on the racing line at reduced speed approaching the final corner as Leclerc, who was on a flying lap, caught him. The Ferrari driver had to suddenly move to the left to avoid the Mercedes in the first session of sprint race qualifying at Circuit of the Americas.

Leclerc immediately predicted his rival would be penalised, remarking “and a penalty for Mr Russell, thank you” on his radio.

The stewards agreed Russell “unnecessarily” impeded Leclerc, who was forced to abort his lap at the end of the first phase of qualifying. Leclerc progressed to the final round of qualifying and took second on the grid for today’s race behind Max Verstappen.

“Car 63 (Russell) entered the last two corners preparing for his flying lap at the end of SQ1 with car 16 (Leclerc) closing in quickly,” the stewards explained.

“Whilst the team did inform the driver about the closing car a few seconds in advance, there was no further information directly before car 63 entered turn 19 with car 16 right behind. Car 63 did not move from the racing line in or after turn 19 and therefore unnecessarily impeded car 16.

“The stewards note that irrespective of any information coming from the team, it is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that no other cars are unnecessarily impeded.”

• 2023 United States Grand Prix sprint race grid

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2023 United States Grand Prix

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