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Grid mix up in Japan

The stewards have handed out five place grid penalties to five drivers following the chaotic scenes in qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix. Perhaps most surprising among them is Fernando Alonso in the Renault, one of the drivers who had been more than outspoken about the behaviour of others.

Also penalised were both Brawn drivers Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello, plus Adrian Sutil in the Force India, all of whom were penalised – like Alonso – for not lifting off to a great enough degree in the face of the yellow flags, while Sebastien Buemi – who had caused the flags in the first place – was also penalised five places and given an official reprimand by the stewards for taking a damaged car back to the pits and thus impeding others.

The move means the first three on the grid – Sebastian Vettel in the Red Bull, Jarno Trulli in the Toyota and Lewis Hamilton in the McLaren – remain n the same positions, but behind them the order changes.

We believe that as both fourth and fifth place qualifiers Sutil and Barrichello have been moved back Nick Heidfeld will start on the second row in the BMW alongside Hamilton. The third row will see Kimi Raikkonen in the Ferrari alongside Heikki Kovalainen in the second McLaren, while Nico Rosberg for Williams and Robert Kubica in the BMW will make up row four. The fifth row sees the penalised Sutil and Barrichello, with Button starting in 12th position next to Timo Glock (should the Toyota driver be pronounced fit to race.)

Buemi will start 15th and Alonso 17th. (All place provisional.)

Written: Sat, 03 Oct 2009 10:43:32