Kuala Lumpur post qualifying penalties

Johnny Cecotto and Sam Bird have both been handed penalties after being involved in an incident during today’s qualifying session at Sepang International Circuit.

It was found that between Turns 5 and 6, Cecotto was impeded by Bird during the Venezuelan’s fastest lap. As a reaction, the Arden driver deliberately forced the British driver off the track.

In consequence, the stewards have decided to issue Bird with a three place grid penalty while Cecotto has been excluded from the results of Qualifying as his reaction to being impeded by another driver were deemed unacceptable.

Bird will thus start from eighth place. Cecotto will start from the back of tomorrow’s Feature Race grid.