The FIA stewards said the Force India driver had used a set of supersofts tyres in Q1 that the team should have returned after final practice.

The incident is a possible breach of article 24.4 of the sporting rules.

The article states that "two further sets [of the softest compound] must be returned to the Supplier before the start of the qualifying practice session."

An FIA document said the German driver had used a set of tyres that had already been electronically returned.

Hulkenberg qualified in seventh position.