Carlos Sainz has been handed a three-place grid penalty for the Japanese Grand Prix after impeding Lewis Hamilton on his final flying lap in Q2. The Spaniard will now start 15th, having initially qualified 12th. Hamilton was entering Turn One to start his flying lap with Sainz on the inside of the corner, having just completed his.

The seven-time world champion was forced to take avoiding action, which led to him aborting his lap in the first sector. Sainz was promptly placed under investigation, and after a brief trip to see the stewards, he was slapped with a three-place grid penalty. This drops him behind Fernando Alonso, Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda on the starting grid for Sunday's Grand Prix.

Explaining their decision, the stewards noted: "The driver of Car 55 stated that he did not have any warning from the team, of the approach of Car 44 on a push lap. He stated that he was caught completely by surprise and because of the approach speed of Car 44, and the angle of his car, he could not see Car 44 in his mirrors.

"However, notwithstanding the above, the team had ample warning that Car 44 was on an out lap whilst Car 55 was on its push lap. Also, more than 8 seconds elapsed from when it was obvious Car 44 was not going into the pits, and hence was going to start a push lap, and when Car 55 could have taken appropriate action if the driver had been warned by the team.

"It is noted that the standard penalty guideline for this offence during Qualifying, irrespective of whether it was the fault of the driver or the team, is a three grid position penalty, and therefore the Stewards find that the standard penalty should be applied."

While Sainz's instance of impeding didn't cost Hamilton a place in the final part of qualifying, the Ferrari driver was still frustrated come the chequered flag in Q3. His best time was only fastest enough for P8 on the grid, while team-mate Charles Leclerc was fourth-fastest.

Hamilton now faces another frustrating Grand Prix, having been disqualified two weeks ago at the Chinese Grand Prix for excessive skid block wear. The legendary Brit will start behind rookies Kimi Antonelli and Isack Hadjar on Sunday.

"Not good enough from my side," the 40-year-old said after qualifying. "P8 is not great. We are running higher than I would like, but everyone is in the same boat. Charles did an amazing job. We went in different directions with set-up. I had a lot of understeer and just couldn't dial it up."