Lewis Hamilton has retained his entrance row grid place for the Brazilian Grand Prix regardless of the stewards investigating the positioning of his automobile on the grid forward of Saturday’s dash race.
Three drivers, together with Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu and McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo, all lined up barely outdoors the width of their grid field for the beginning of the dash race, prompting the investigation.
The three automobiles have been visibly out of line with the remainder of the pack when considered from behind, however solely by a marginal quantity and, in accordance with the stewards, didn’t acquire a bonus from their positioning.
The stewards additionally famous that the grid bins at Interlagos are barely narrower than at different circuits, contributing to the issue of staying between the traces.
“The stewards reviewed the beginning sequence, because it was noticed that a number of automobiles have been doubtlessly out of their grid field in violation of Article 8.6.1.a) of the FIA Worldwide Sporting Code, being both to the left or proper of the grid field,” a stewards’ assertion mentioned.
“Having reviewed all obtainable angles of video, and making measurements on the grid, the stewards famous that the grid bins have been barely smaller than standard and that the drivers’ visibility makes compliance extraordinarily tough and that no driver was able that gained any benefit.
“The stewards are due to this fact happy to take no additional motion.”
Hamilton, who completed third within the dash race, will acquire one place on the grid for Sunday’s grand prix on account of Carlos Sainz, who completed second, being hit with a five-place grid penalty for taking a brand new engine this weekend.
Hamilton will line up alongside teammate George Russell on pole place — the primary Mercedes entrance row lockout of the season — and forward of the 2 Crimson Bulls of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez in third and fourth.