Lewis Hamilton was given a five-second time penalty for doing a practice tart in a place where that was not allowed. The Mercedes driver could therefore not interfere in the battle for second place with Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing. It is striking that Hamilton asked his team for permission to do a practice start in a different place than usual.
"There is already rubber here. Can I start further down? At the end of the pit lane?" Hamilton asks his engineer when he wants to start his lap to the grid.
Hamilton gets Mercedes approval
The six-time world champion is told by his team over the on-board radio. "Go ahead. Yes, is fine. Leave enough room for cars to pass."