Share this article on LinkedIn Email

Lotus Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean has been given a two-place grid penalty after Malaysian Grand Prix qualifying.

The 16 drivers who made it into Q2 all raced to the pitlane exit ahead of the session's start in a hurry to get a clear lap in before it began to rain.

Grosjean was adjudged to have jumped the queue and overtaken illegally in the pit exit on his way out.

He went on to qualify eighth, so his penalty drops him to 10th on the grid.

A stewards' statement said the punishment was because "the driver did not leave the pitlane in the order of his arrival".

Heavy rain did arrive just after drivers finished their first Q2 flying laps, prompting a half-hour delay before the track was dry enough for Q3 to take place.