Maldonado penalised for qualifying incident

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F1 Grand Prix, GP Belgium, Circuit de Spa-Francorchampsbe

Williams driver Pastor Maldonado has been given a five place grid penalty for the coming together with Lewis Hamilton. Lewis Hamilton on his behalf was also partly to blame for the incident but was handed a reprimand instead.

The two first clashed in the bus stop chicane. With both drivers in a flying lap and Hamilton clearly in the faster car, Lewis overtook the Williams there with the slight touching causing Maldonado to lose some time.

The two came together again in the consequent lap where Hamilton slowed down. Maldonano came across and after a few daring moves both had light contact, knocking off some minor aerodynamic parts from both the cars.

Afterwards, the Williams driver said "I have no idea what happened" and denied he tried to retaliate for the earlier incident.